Understanding the socio-economic factors that promote positive perceptions of carnivores and foster coexistence in a human dominated landscape are an essential part Rebuilding the Pride’s mission. The program has begun a multi-site comparison to explore these questions further. Initial analysis of questionnaire data collected by the Ruaha Carnivore Project in Tanzania, Rebuilding Pride in Southern Kenya (Amboseli and South Rift), and the Hwange Lion Project in Zimbabwe have yielded some interesting initial results. The data shows substantial differences in perceptions towards coexistence across all three study sites. Southern Kenya stands out as the only site that where positive perceptions towards coexistence were the norm rather than the exception. Results demonstrate that there is no one solution to resolving human-wildlife conflicts but technical strategies for conserving lions such as education, land use planning, and alternative livelihoods, must build and work through community institutions, adopting a case-by-case approach.
