Encore: How I came to work with the lions who live in trees
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In this compelling encore episode of 'Conversations,' wildlife biologist and National Geographic cameraman Alex Brzkowski shares his extraordinary journey from a childhood shaped by refugee roots in Greece to becoming a leading conservationist in Africa. His story unfolds through intimate encounters with rare tree-climbing lions in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, particularly focusing on Jacob—a lion who has survived poisoning, snaring, a wheel trap, and being gored by a buffalo, earning him the nickname of a 'Marvel superhero' with nine lives. Alex recounts the emotional and physical dangers of filming these animals, including a terrifying night when lions surrounded his open-sided Suzuki Jeep, and reflects on the deep personal connection he’s formed with Jacob and the pride. He also discusses the scientific importance of monitoring lion populations, the challenges of accurate census work using facial recognition and GPS tracking, and the urgent conservation crisis facing these iconic cats due to human-wildlife conflict and poaching. Despite the threats, Alex remains hopeful, emphasizing the power of collaboration across institutions and the importance of protecting not just individual animals, but entire ecosystems.
Jacob, the three-legged tree-climbing lion, has survived four near-fatal encounters, highlighting the resilience of wildlife in the face of human threats.
Tree-climbing lions in Uganda are a cultural behavior passed down through maternal lines, with young cubs learning to climb from their mothers.
Accurate wildlife censuses require high-resolution facial recognition and GPS tracking to avoid double-counting and account for unseen animals.
The sex ratio imbalance in Queen Elizabeth’s lion population—fewer females—threatens long-term viability, as females are more vulnerable to poisoning and conflict.
Conservation success depends on collaboration across governments, NGOs, and local communities, especially in underfunded protected areas.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The One Time Alex Was Truly Scared
“I was genuinely terrified. It was the only time that I've seen lions do this, and I don't know if it was because of the size of the vehicle. I don't think so because I'd filmed lions in the north of the park, and they completely ignored the car...”
From Refugee Roots to Wildlife Passion
Alex shares his early life journey—from being born in Athens, Greece, to growing up in South Africa as the child of Polish refugees. His passion for animals began with a dolphin wash-up in Greece and was solidified through volunteering at the Johannesburg Zoo, where he worked with chimpanzees and snakes.
The Making of a Conservationist: Game Ranger School & University
Alex attended Game Ranger School near Kruger National Park, where he learned tracking and conservation skills. He later studied at Nelson Mandela University, where leopards roamed the campus. His academic work involved collecting leopard droppings to study their diet, revealing they eat bushbuck and flay rats.
Breaking Into National Geographic and the Tree-Climbing Lions
Alex met National Geographic photographer Steve Winter during his master’s fieldwork. This connection led to a major assignment documenting leopards in India, where he learned the importance of capturing not just animals, but their habitats and human interactions. He then began working with the rare tree-climbing lions in Uganda.
Jacob: The Lion Who Defied the Odds
“If we actually count, he's probably used four of his nine lives that we probably know of. He should be a Marvel superhero.”
“If we actually count, he's probably used four of his nine lives that we probably know of. He should be a Marvel superhero.”
“I was genuinely terrified. It was the only time that I've seen lions do this, and I don't know if it was because of the size of the vehicle.”
“Conservation is a game of giving money. It's not a real game of generating money, so it's chronically underfunded.”
Host
Guest
Alex Brzkowski
person
Jacob
other
Queen Elizabeth National Park
place
Uganda Wildlife Authority
organization
Mustafa Nsebugo
person
Steve Winter
person
Suzuki Jimny
other
Elephants
other
Hippos
other
Dingoes
other
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