Lion Conservation

ENDANGERED STATUS

Vulnerable

NUMBER REMAINING IN THE WILD

20,000-30,000

ENDEMIC REGION

Africa And Some Parts Of Asia

How Endangered Are Lions

Although a population of 20,000-30,000 may seem like a lot, in the grand scheme of things it spells danger for the lion. Over the last 20 years, their numbers have plummeted by around 30% and today over 40% of their population is in decline.The lion was not placed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act until December 2015, and this could go some way as to explaining why their numbers continued to drop at such an alarming rate. Now that they are on the list, the hope is that their species will be able to recover.

Threats Lions Are Facing

Lions may be an apex predator, but they are coming under increasing pressure from human-based threats. Two of the biggest of these threats are:

• Habitat Encroachment – as humans continue to expand their farmland into what was once considered lion territory, this is leading to clashes between the cats and people. If a lion takes down a farmer’s livestock, more often than not the lion is killed so the farmer can retain his animals.

• Hunting – hunting is still rife throughout Africa, and once these big cats are staring down the barrel of a so-called “hunter’s” rifle, they stand no chance at all.

Fast Facts