Podcast Summary: Blood Origins

Episode: Episode 567 - Chris Comer || SCIF New Work: Carnivores from the U.S. to Africa
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Host: Blood Origins Inc.
Guest: Chris Comer, Director of Conservation, Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF)

1. Introduction

In Episode 567 of Blood Origins, host Mike Axelrod welcomes Chris Comer, the Director of Conservation at Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF). This episode delves into SCIF's pioneering work in carnivore conservation, focusing on large predators like mountain lions and leopards across the United States and Africa.

2. Background of Chris Comer and SCIF

Chris Comer shares his transition from academia to a leadership role at SCIF. With a background in wildlife management and forestry from Stephen F. Austin State University, Comer has been instrumental in steering SCIF's conservation initiatives for the past seven years.

Chris Comer [03:00]: "I've been with SCIF for seven years, moving from academia to focus on practical conservation efforts."

Mike Axelrod echoes the sentiment, highlighting the fulfillment Comer finds in seeing former students succeed in the wildlife resource field.

3. Science-Based Wildlife Management Focus

SCIF emphasizes science-based wildlife management, aiming to provide robust data to inform conservation strategies. Comer explains that their mission is to address gaps in conservation funding and activity by channeling resources into areas where they can make significant impacts.

Chris Comer [05:50]: "We strive to fill the gaps in conservation funding and activities, ensuring our efforts are both effective and impactful."

Mike underscores the importance of this approach, relating it to enhancing hunter opportunities and sustaining wildlife resources.

4. Carnivore Conservation Projects

a. Botswana Leopard Survey

One of SCIF's flagship projects took place in Botswana, where they conducted extensive leopard population surveys. Partnering with the Caesar Clayberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M, SCIF utilized camera traps and spatially explicit capture-recapture models to estimate leopard populations across varied land uses, including national parks, hunting areas, and community lands.

Chris Comer [28:43]: "In Botswana, we stratified 20 survey areas by land use and deployed over 100 cameras per area to gather comprehensive data on leopard populations."

Despite challenges in data analysis, including managing millions of photographs, the initial findings aligned with existing literature on leopard densities in semi-desert habitats.

Chris Comer [35:02]: "Our density numbers were about what we'd expect for that region—ranging from 0.5 to 2 leopards per 100 square kilometers."

b. Texas Mountain Lion Study

In Texas, SCIF is addressing the lack of reliable data on mountain lion populations, where these predators are classified as varmint with no closed hunting seasons. Collaborating with local researchers and employing camera-based surveys, SCIF aims to provide the scientific foundation necessary for informed management decisions.

Chris Comer [21:02]: "We're partnering with the Caesar Clayberg Institute and deploying camera traps across private ranches to gather essential data on mountain lion populations."

5. Scientific Methodology and Challenges

SCIF employs camera trapping as the primary method for wildlife surveys, avoiding baiting to maintain the integrity of population models. This non-intrusive approach ensures that data reflects natural behaviors without influencing animal movements.

Chris Comer [30:37]: "We leave cameras on trails and roads without baiting, ensuring our population models remain accurate and unbiased."

One significant challenge in regions like Texas is gaining access to numerous private ranches, necessitating strong relationships with landowners and local experts to facilitate data collection.

6. Implications for Hunting and Conservation Policies

The data collected by SCIF plays a crucial role in shaping sustainable hunting regulations. For instance, in Zambia, scientific studies influenced the implementation of age-based quotas for male lions, ensuring hunting does not compromise population viability.

Chris Comer [13:10]: "Scientific data has been instrumental in establishing age restrictions on lion harvests, ensuring sustainability."

Mike Axelrod highlights the broader economic and conservation benefits of such regulations, noting that increased animal value from restricted quotas can lead to higher revenues for conservation efforts.

Mike Axelrod [17:23]: "Restricting supply increases animal value, benefiting both the hunting industry and wildlife conservation funding."

7. Future Projects and Expansion

SCIF plans to extend its carnivore research to other African nations, including South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia. Additionally, they are developing a region-wide anti-poaching program focused on large landscapes, aiming to address the root causes of poaching by coordinating with local communities and stakeholders.

Chris Comer [44:15]: "Our upcoming ALPS program aims to integrate hunting concessions into broader conservation strategies, addressing poverty and community disenfranchisement to reduce poaching."

8. Conclusion

Chris Comer emphasizes the importance of independent, science-driven approaches to wildlife management, ensuring that conservation efforts are both effective and unbiased. The collaboration between SCIF and scientific institutions underscores the potential for hunting to play a positive role in global conservation strategies.

Chris Comer [48:56]: "By focusing on specific conservation areas and leveraging scientific data, we can make a meaningful impact on carnivore populations and broader biodiversity."

Mike Axelrod concludes by encouraging listeners to stay informed and engaged with SCIF's ongoing projects, highlighting the podcast's commitment to conveying the truth about hunting and its role in conservation.

Find Out More:

For additional information on SCIF's conservation projects and initiatives, visit the Safari Club International Foundation's website. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and insights into their ongoing efforts to merge hunting with effective wildlife conservation.