In Search of the African Lion by de la Harpe, Roger, de la Harpe, Pat (2011) Hardcover

by Roger de la Harpe

The African lion (Panthera leo), long celebrated as the king of beasts, faces unprecedented challenges in the wild today. Loss of habitat through the expansion of human activity increasingly restricts the lion to game reserves and national parks, while diseases such as bovine tuberculosis pose a threat to the health of lion prides. Over a period of two years, Roger and Pat de la Harpe have documented wild lions of South Africa, and the result is a superbly photographed and engagingly written tribute to this often misunderstood predator. In Search of the African Lion enters the complex world of the lion, describing pride dynamics, hunting patterns, the reproductive cycle and interactions with human communities.The book focuses on four main the Kalahari, the Madikwe/Mapungubwe area, the Greater Kruger National Park and Northern Zululand 1/4 each with its own problems, challenges and opportunities. In addition, the authors highlight the important work done by game rangers, wildlife managers and scientific researchers in understanding the lion and in protecting existing populations.The In Search of? series focuses on the plight of threatened and endangered species. Also available by the same In Search of the African Wild Dog.

Hardcover

First published May 14, 2014

About the author

Roger and Pat de la Harpe’s careers in photography and writing have spanned some 28 years, starting when Roger was appointed as the photographer for Natal Parks Board (now Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) in 1986. He held this post for 16 years before leaving to freelance in the wildlife, travel and tourism sectors. Pat has a degree in social sciences from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and followed a career in commerce and local government before joining Roger on his many trips and commissions in Africa.

They are not new to book publishing having written and/or photographed some 26 books between them, the latest ones being In search of the African Wild Dog and In Search of the African lion. In addition their work has appeared in many local and international publications, most notably Getaway Magazine, Africa Geographic, German GEO and BBC Wildlife. They also undertake commissioned shoots in the tourism industry.

Roger and Pat work as a team and share a passion for natural history, wild places and different cultures. When not at work they enjoy movies and long walks in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands where they live and where Roger indulges in his other passion – mountain biking.