Episode 555 - Paul Booyens || Captive Lions To Wild Lions?

Robbie was fortunate to cross paths with Paul during the initiation of our Panyame Cheetah Conservation project. When Robbie first met Paul - he noted that Paul's name was super familiar to him, and it turns out that Robbie had heard of Paul, and more specifically his PhD work. Paul Booyens, a Wildlife Reserve Manager, did his thesis on the rewilding of lions. Not rewilding of any lions, but rather the rewildling of Captive Bred Lions, aka CBL lions. Lions that essentially had been raised in captivity, have never killed any prey, and were placed in reproductive scenarios in Bomas. CBL is controversial enough - but Paul decides to add a whole new level to it, by trying to rewild CBL lions. Is that even possible? Paul joins Robbie on this podcast to talk about one of the most controversial subjects in South African conservation. CAN a captive bred lion who has been fed carcasses its entire life rediscover its felid nature - learn to hunt for itself, interact with other lions, and be truly “wild”? Find out by listening to this podcast.

Get to know the guest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK-qM9PY-kQ

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Music: Migration by Ian Post (Winter Solstice), licensed through artlist.io

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