Volunteer With Lions

ENDANGERED STATUS

Vulnerable

NUMBER REMAINING IN THE WILD

20,000-30,000

ENDEMIC REGION

Africa and some parts of Asia

How endangered are lions?

In the 1900's lion numbers were thought to be at a healthy population of around 200,000. However,today there are said to be just around 20,000 that remain in the wild.

Humans have seen a 40% decline in lion population in the last 3 generations for various reasons, but this decrease, which continues to plummet, is simply not sustainable.

In 2015 that the lion was placed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. With three quarters of all species in decline, the lion is now classed as 'vulnerable' on the endangered species list.

Threats Lions are facing

Whilst the lion is feared in its homelands due to the fact that it is an apex predator, they have been coming under increasing threats from human-based problems. They are:

• Hunting - Throughout most of Africa hunting still poses a problem for big game wildlife, and lions, in particular, continue to be targeted.Once a lion comes face to face with the barrel of a so-called hunters gun, they stand little chance of surviving.
• Habitat Encroachment - Humans are continuing to expand into land that was once ruled by the lion, and this leads to clashes between the human and feline residents. Lions are often tempted to take down a farmers livestock to sustain themselves, and once this happens the lion is normally killed as they are perceived as a threat.

Fast Facts