[Science] A crucial population of lions has lost much of its genetic diversity – AI

Lions are losing their genetic capacity to adapt to changing environmentsSimon Dures/ZSL By Adam VaughanOne of Africa’s last major lion strongholds has experienced a significant decline in its genetic diversity since the end of the 19th century, leaving the animals more vulnerable to future threats. For the first time, researchers looked at how the genetic diversity of African lions (Panthera leo) has changed over time. They discovered that the diversity of the population in the Kavango-Zambezi conservation area, a region that includes parts of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, has fallen by up to 17 per cent since …