Scientific Advisors

Professor Peter Mundy

Professor Peter Mundy of Zimbabwe’s National University of Science & Technology (NUST) attained his PhD from the University of Zimbabwe having previously studied at King’s College London.

He was scientific officer for the Endangered Wildlife Trust in Zimbabwe from 1976 to 1983 and in South Africa from 1983 to 1984. He worked as Principal Ecologist (Ornithology) with the Zimbabwean Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management from 1984 to 2003, joining the National University of Science and Technology in June of 2003 where he is acting chairman of the faculty of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management.

His many publications include five books as the author or co-author such as 'The Vultures of Africa' (1992) and 'Francois Levaillant and the Birds of Africa' (2004). He is an assistant editor of the 'Vulture News' and 'Honeyguide' journals, and an editor of the 'Zimbabwe Journal of Science and Technology'.

Peter is also winner of the 1994 Rutherford Conservation Award and co-founder of the Biodiversity Foundation for Africa.

Dr. Pieter Kat

Dr. Pieter Kat is a consultant ecologist to the African Lion Rehabilitation and Release into the Wild Program and has been involved in
a diversity of scientific fields for the past 25 years.

With degrees in biology / geology BSc from the University of Rochester, marine biology MSc from the University of Delaware and ecology and evolution MA & PhD from Johns Hopkins University, Pieter spent 10 years in Kenya establishing biological research programs at the National Museums. His work there included documentation of biodiversity in the African Great Lakes, genetic diversity among bovid populations in Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania, research on predators in the Masai Mara, and research on a variety of diseases likely to affect predators.

Pieter then spent two years at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and at the Center of Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, working on rabies virus genetics, African horse sickness, and bluetongue virus among carnivores.

He was invited by the Government of Botswana to independently study lion populations for 10 years and make recommendations on their conservation and viability and is the author of over 60 scientific papers on such diverse subjects as taxonomy, ecology, genetics, reproduction and paleontology.

“There is no doubt that a very significant decline in lion populations has occurred over the past twenty years, and that the decline is continuing today. This decline has perhaps largely resulted from loss of habitat and problem animal control, but there can be no doubt that trophy hunting has greatly contributed to the overall loss of lions. This is clearly evident from CITES export figures.

Despite the alarming statistics, CITES, the UN, and other world conservation bodies have remained at best complacent to the predicament of African lions. A 2006 conference in South Africa on the status and conservation of lions organized by the IUCN Cat Specialist Group among others, called for further research on lion population numbers in Africa, consideration of threats such as human/livestock conflicts, and stabilization of populations in protected areas. Despite the drastic decline in continental lion numbers, conference participants did not consider a need for increased levels of protection for lions through international and local legislation.

I therefore believe the future for lions is in African hands. If the international community does not offer considered support, I suggest we come up with our own solutions. If governments continue to seek income from trophy hunting at the expense of wildlife resources it is up to us to prevent such greed. If numbers are going to be disputed by different groups, let governments step in and ask dispassionate experts to determine how many lions remain in their countries, and then justify off-take on a sustainable basis. Let these same governments decide where they want lions, and once that decision is taken, vigorously protect these populations.

It is also up to us to come up with positive solutions to reverse the loss of lions. I believe we can do this by promoting directed research on disease threats and wild lion reproduction. Contrary to popular belief, the most basic aspects of lion biology are not even partially understood. In addition, we can begin programs of lion reintroduction in a wide variety of depopulated areas. Such programs will not only be immediately positive, but will also place lions squarely in the category of animals like rhinos whose plight seems to be better appreciated by the international conservation community.

This is why I am appreciative and excited to be involved by the initiatives taken by Andrew and Wendy Conolly. Through years of self-funded and determined effort, they have developed a program of re-introduction that has a very good chance of success. Predators of any description are notoriously difficult to reintroduce, but now we have at least a workable plan. As I said, the future of African lions is in African hands. Let us salute those who have been steadfast to ensure this future, and recognize that any action is better than the currently looming extinction of an African icon if we do nothing.”

Dr. Don Heath

Dr. Don Heath is also a consultant ecologist to the Conservation Centre for Wild Africa.

Holding degrees in Zoology and Ecology, his doctorate for the University of Zimbabwe investigated the dangers of genetic drift induced by hunting.

From 1986 to 1998 Dr Heath was the senior ecologist for Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. He has also spent many years working with Zimbabwe’s Professional Hunter’s & Guide’s Association, first as an examiner and as now their chief examiner.

Working with the Wildlife Research Institute from 1997 to 1998 he wrote the current Departmental Quota Setting Manual and Guidelines for Sustainable Utilization, which has since been adopted by Botswana and Mozambique.

The author of over 200 scientific and popular articles and one book, Nyati: The Art of Buffalo Hunting, he has been the Editor of African Hunter Magazine and Associate Editor of African Sporting since 1998.