Botswana — that sounds like vastness, wilderness and a lion roar in the distance. Anyone who roams the endless savannas of the Okavango Delta may encounter one of these majestic predators — but what many visitors don't know is that some of these lions today wear collars with GPS trackers. A high-tech accessory in the middle of the wild? Exactly. But there is more to this than just fashion progress.
Botswana is one of the last refuges for larger lion populations in Africa. And although the country's protected status is exemplary, lions are also under pressure here — due to poaching, conflicts with ranchers and the ever-increasing proximity between humans and animals. The use of GPS is therefore part of a larger project that aims to improve animal protection and at the same time ensure coexistence with surrounding communities.
How does that work? Researchers attach a lightweight GPS collar to selected lions. They regularly send their location data via satellite to a central database. As a result, movement patterns can be analyzed, territory boundaries can be better understood and conflict zones can be identified. If a lion gets too close to a village, you can react — whether through local education or targeted deterrence measures.
Particularly exciting: The data is also being used in research to investigate, for example, how climate changes affect hunting behavior or the social structure of lion packs. The result is virtually a digital diary of the kings of the savanna — without them realizing it.
Of course, there are also critical voices: Isn't that an intervention in the wild? Does the collar not disturb the lion? According to biologists, the impact is minimal — and the benefits for protecting the species are immense. Because the better we understand how lions live, the better we can protect them.
By the way, this means no less adventure for travelers — quite the opposite. Anyone who goes on safari still encounters free, wild animals. But with the knowledge that they are not only being watched but also protected. This not only calms your conscience, but also opens up exciting conversations with guides who can talk first-hand about the data — and how science and wilderness can go hand in hand.
And who knows — you might meet the next GPS lion in person on your next trip to Botswana. Just the roar — that remains 100% analog.
