Professor Andrew Loveridge is one of Africa’s most respected lion conservation scientists. Born in Zimbabwe and holding a PhD in Zoology from Oxford University, Andrew has dedicated more than two decades to understanding and protecting large carnivores. He leads the Hwange Lion Research Project, one of the longest-running studies of lions worldwide, which has generated critical insights into lion population dynamics, human-wildlife conflict, and the impacts of trophy hunting.

Andrew is a Senior Research Fellow at WildCRU (Oxford University), Deputy Director of the unit, and currently serves as Co-Director of Panthera’s Lion Program. This global leadership role strengthens lion conservation efforts across 67% of the species’ remaining range. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, co-edited Biology and Conservation of Wild Felids, and served as Associate Editor of the African Journal of Wildlife Research.

In recognition of his work, Andrew received the SATIB Trust Award for Contributions to African Conservation and is an active member of IUCN specialist groups, including the Cat Specialist Group and the African Lion Working Group. His involvement in the KAZA Carnivore Conservation Coalition underscores his influence on large-scale landscape conservation.

For Kakori, Andrew provides both scientific credibility and deep local knowledge of Hwange’s ecosystems, ensuring that conservation action is guided by evidence and global best practice.

Professor Andrew Loveridge