Roaming the grasslands, savannahs and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, lions are one of the most intriguing and majestic big cats. Living in family groups called prides, they are the world’s only truly social cat species and work together to hunt and raise their cubs. But data suggests these powerful creatures are in decline, with the World Wildlife Fund estimating there are only around 20,000 lions left in the wild. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the threats they face and how they are being protected.

Threats

Flick through the pages of a book about a lion and you might think these fascinating cats reign supreme. As apex predators, they hunt a range of other animals, including zebra, wildebeest, antelope and buffalo. However, their situation is more precarious than you might think.

Lions face several threats to their survival. They are targeted by poachers who want to sell their body parts - such as teeth and claws - which are highly valued in the illegal wildlife trade. Trophy hunters also target them, needlessly killing them for sport. 

In addition to this, the expansion of agriculture and urbanisation has led to the loss of lions’ habitats. Populations become fragmented and isolated, making it harder for them to find prey and mates. With lions’ natural prey declining too, lions are forced to hunt livestock, which results in human-lion conflict and often ends with the cats’ deaths. 

While not yet endangered, most lion populations are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.  However, some populations are classed as ‘Critically Endangered’.

Conservation efforts

The good news is that many organisations across the world are working hard to protect lions and their habitats. African Parks, for example, manages protected areas across African nations including Chad, Rwanda, Zambia and Malawi, providing havens for lions where their populations can recover. They work to protect lions from poaching, educate local communities on the importance of lions, and reintroduce the animals into historic habitats. Habitat protection includes the removal of snares, which are used by poachers, as well as fencing off areas of land to prevent human-lion conflict.   

Other organisations track and monitor lions in order to identify ‘wildlife corridors’ - routes that are often used by animals when they search for food and mates. This can then inform where human settlements and farms can be based. Lions are also tracked to understand their behaviours, pride patterns and distributions, which help us to learn more about how to protect them. 

How you can help

The easiest and most practical way to help protect lions and their habitats is by donating to a reputable charity that is dedicated to lion conservation. Some organisations also offer the chance to ‘adopt’ a lion or pride. In exchange for a donation, you receive news and updates about the lion(s) you have ‘adopted’.  

Discover The Lion Inside

Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s enchanting lion story book, The Lion Inside, has been adapted for the stage and is playing at London Southbank Centre from 16 - 20 April. Using song, dance and puppetry, it gives kids the chance to hear this popular tale about a mouse and a lion read aloud. Get your tickets today.