Rise of the Lioness: Restoring a Habitat and Its Pride on the Liuwa Plains

Gr 5–8—This is the story of Lady, the once last remaining lion in the Liuwa Plains wilderness area of Zambia. The vast and varied animal populations of this preserve have been decimated by civil war, poaching, and man-made fires. Lions are highly social animals, and the survival of Lady on her own was an astounding feat. She was initially brought to the world's attention by a film documenting her lonely existence, and interest in Lady's fate resulted in a movement toward restoring a pride of lions to the Liuwa Plains. This title describes the highly complicated process of bringing lions into an unfamiliar area, the tragic fate met by some of them at the hands of farmers and poachers, and the final union of Lady with a small pride of her own. Through the work of many dedicated scientists and animal protectors, the Liuwa Plains is slowly and methodically being retuned to the vibrant world it once was. Full color photographs document the journey of Lady and her pride. This enlightening work offers in-depth information on the diverse needs of an ecosystem and offers hope for its restoration.