Seminar: White Lions in South Africa: Exploring ecology and cultural significance

This seminar is organized in the framework of the CRG Trans-species perspectives on African Studies.

A charismatic animal that is a unique contribution to biodiversity, admired by tourists, and has cultural significance to Tsonga and Sepedi communities.The white lion is a rare natural colour variant of the African lion (Panthera leo) that has only been recorded in a remote area of South Africa - the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park.

The first comprehensive study on white lions has been underway for the past 15 years, investigating the ecology, conservation management and cultural significance of white lions. The key research aspects of the study are:

1. the reintroduction of white lions to the wild,
2. the ecology of the white lion in terms of their social structure, movement patterns, and hunting behaviour,
3. the cultural and spiritual perception of Sepedi and Tsonga communities about the white lion, and how this potentially affects their attitude towards human-lion conflict, lion poaching and the lion bone trade.

An important case study for the white lion is the international precedent of the Kermode or Spirit Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei): a rare colour variant of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) which occurs in British Columbia (Canada), is revered by the First Nation’s Kitasoo People and is a flagship for protecting the 4000 000 ha Great Bear Rainforest.

A major threat to the survival of lions in South Africa is human-lion conflict, lion poaching, and the trade in lion body parts. The findings of this study will play an important role to better understanding these threats in terms of the cultural perception of Tsonga and Sepedi communities about lions, and specifically white lions.