Inside The Pride Course
The African lion is one of the world’s most iconic predators and one of its most threatened. The Inside the Pride Course is a live, science-based online course, presented by Dr Paul Funston, designed to take you beyond popular narratives and into the real ecological, behavioural and conservation complexities shaping lion populations across Africa today.
Exciting opportunity
Lions once roamed across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Today, they survive in fragmented landscapes under increasing pressure from habitat loss, prey depletion, human–lion conflict and complex management realities.
The Inside the Pride Course offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of Africa’s most experienced lion specialists. Through six live online lectures, you will gain ecological insight, scientific depth and conservation context that moves far beyond popular wildlife narratives.
Whether you are a guide, student, conservation professional or passionate wildlife enthusiast, this course equips you with the knowledge and critical understanding needed to engage meaningfully with lion conservation, safari interpretation, research and advocacy.
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What to expect from the Inside the Pride Course
A deeper understanding of lion ecology
This three-week-long course, comprised of twice-weekly live sessions, explores the evolution, behaviour and conservation of Africa’s apex predator through six focused lectures.
You’ll gain insight into the origins of the lion, pride dynamics, male coalitions, hunting strategies, ecological roles and the real conservation pressures lions face across modern African landscapes.
Live learning with a leading lion specialist
Lectures take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 18:00 (GMT+2) and run for 1–2 hours, each followed by a live Q&A session with Dr Paul Funston.
With over 30 years of field experience across Africa, Dr Funston is internationally recognised for his work on lion behaviour, social systems and conservation strategy. His sessions combine rigorous science with real-world insight from decades of hands-on research and management.
Interactive and research-driven, each lecture is grounded in lived field experience — with recordings available after every session so you can revisit key concepts at your own pace.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the Inside the Pride Course, participants will receive an EcoTraining Certificate of Participation.
This certificate confirms your attendance and engagement in a comprehensive, science-based exploration of lion ecology, behaviour and conservation presented by Dr Paul Funston.
What you can expect to graduate with
- An EcoTraining Certificate of Participation
- A deeper scientific understanding of lion evolution, behaviour and social systems
- Insight into modern conservation challenges affecting lion populations across Africa
- Greater confidence in interpreting lion behaviour within ecological and management contexts
- Advanced knowledge valuable for safari guiding, conservation work, research and wildlife advocacy
Entry level requirements
- Basic understanding of English (write, read, and speak).
- Participants need to be older than 16 years.
- Access to a stable connection to the internet or WiFi.
- Access to an electronic device (e.g., tablet, cell phone, laptop) to view live lectures.
Why choose the Inside the Pride Course?
The Inside the Pride Course is designed to build your understanding step by step through six focused modules:
Origins of the Lion: Evolution and ecology of Africa’s great savannah cat
The Life of Lions: Understanding lionesses, cubs and pride dynamics
The Secret Lives of Male Lions: Coalitions, territorial battles and survival strategies
Threats to Lions and Conservation Responses: Modern conservation challenges and solutions
Legal and Illegal Hunting of Lions: Understanding the complexities and controversies
Living with Lions: From safari tourism to scientific conservation
Expert-led lectures
The six modules covered move from ecological foundations and social systems to the complex conservation and management realities facing lions today.
The result is a comprehensive, connected understanding of lion ecology and conservation, grounded in science and informed by real-world experience.
FAQ about the Inside the Pride Course
This course is ideal for field guides, conservation students, wildlife professionals and anyone with a serious interest in lion ecology and conservation. No prior formal qualification is required.
The Lion Project is delivered through six live online lectures over three weeks. Sessions take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 18:00 (GMT+2). Each lecture includes a live Q&A session.
Recordings are made available after each session for revision.
Your enrolment fee includes:
- Access to all six live lectures
- Live Q&A sessions
- Theory reviews and quizzes
- Lecture recordings
- PDF copies of presentation material
- An EcoTraining Certificate of Participation
Have more questions? Check out our general FAQ page or get in touch for more information.
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