African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT)

African Lion and Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) Was founded in 2005 - ALERT is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the facilitation of sound conservation and management plans for the African lion in consultation with governments, wildlife authorities and communities.

The Trust aims to support the four stage African Lion Rehabilitation and Release into the Wild Programme developed in 1999.  The aim of this programme is to provide a solution which augments the sharply decreasing numbers of African lions through the release of wild-born offspring from rehabilitated captive-bred lions by raising awareness and funds to source, secure and prepare suitable release sites for the lions.

As recently as 1975, over 200,000 lions roamed the African continent.  In 2002 estimates put the population between 23,000 - 39,000.  This represents an 80-90% decline in less than 30 years.

The loss of lions has a negative effect on Africa's fragile ecosystems.  Lions play an important role in the food-chain, helping to regulate numbers of the more dominant herbivore species, such as zebra and buffalo.  Without lions to control them, these species out-compete other animals, causing their extinction and reducing biodiversity.

ALERT is dedicated to a multi-disciplinary approach for the facilitation and promotion of sound conservation and management plans for the African lion and the ecosystems on which the species relies.