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Saving Species

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Examining the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

Saving Species: Series 1: Episode 34

Series 1

Episode 34

BBC Radio 4 - Saving Species, Series 1, Episode 34

Saving Species reports alarming news about the plight of Lions in Africa.

Saving Species reports from Zimbabwe about a controversial lion re-introduction programme, and Chris Sperring goes into Somerset with his first edition of Lady-Bird Book Summer.

34/40. It has been reported that lion numbers in Africa have declined by as much as 80% in the last thirty years. Estimates put the total Africa lion population at between 25,000 and 45,000 across the whole continent. This number sounds a lot, but Africa is bigger that Europe and North America combined - and some sources even say lions could become extinct in Kenya in the next decade or two. What are the causes and what are the solutions? These are big questions - Lions are highly revered creatures outside Africa and certainly pull in the tourists - but inside Africa they have been called "the neighbours from hell".

In our special series about "Ladybird Book" Britain, it's summer. What has changed in the 50 years since the first publication of the book? Chris Sperring is out and about finding out for himself during a visit to Dorset. The book describes Red Squirrels and Water Voles still in reasonable numbers, although eludes to their decline. And Chris has a unique peep into the future from a hide looking over Poole Harbour - Chris spots some animals the authors of this edition of Lady Bird Britain could not have possibly predicted would be living in Britain.

Presented by Brett Westwood
Produced by Kirsty Henderson
Series Editor Julian Hector.

Saving Species: Series 1

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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Brett Westwood examines the world of nature and the challenges of wildlife conservation

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