AFRICAN LION
Image by Mathias Appel
DID YOU KNOW?
A lion’s roar can be heard up to 5 miles away!
The African Lion, popularly referred to as the, “king of the jungle” has long been associated with strength, power and bravery in many cultures throughout history. They live in the dry conditions of sub-Saharan Africa.
Unlike most big cats, lions are not solitary animals and are known to be the most social of all. They live in groups called prides, often with several related females (who live together for life), their cubs, and up to three adult males. While the female lions do most of the hunting, the males are responsible for protecting their territory and fellow pride members.
In Swahili, lions are called ‘Simba’, which inspired the Disney movie The Lion King. As a carnivore they can feed on any animal, however, zebras and antelopes form the majority of their diet.
CURRENT STATUS:
The species is currently listed as vulnerable.
CHALLENGES:
A major threat to their survival is habitat loss and human conflict, when they are killed to protect livestock. These issues have reduced their home territories by 80%. Designated protected areas are not enough to ensure their long term survival. Lions were once found from Northern Africa to Asia and even in Europe. Now they can only be found in Africa and Asia, where the other subspecies, the Asiatic Lion is found.
Adorable Lion Cubs Frolic as their Parents Look On
OUR ALLY FOR PROTECTING THE AFRICAN LION
Ewaso Lions
Ewaso Lions is a conservation organization based in northern Kenya, dedicated to conserving lions and other large carnivores by promoting co-existence between people and wildlife community-based conservation. Their research also extends to human attitudes and behaviours to better understand what factors most influence tolerance of lions and other large carnivores.
Their programs engage and build the capacity of all key social groups in the area to reduce human-carnivore conflict by
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Raising awareness of ecological problems and solutions,
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Developing strategies for reducing conflict with carnivores (particularly relating to livestock predation),
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and Educational initiatives that illustrate the benefit of wildlife for local livelihoods.
This work is underpinned by research, including monitoring carnivore and prey populations, collaring and radio-tracking lions, and studying the occurrence and impact of human- carnivore conflict.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN PROTECTING THE AFRICAN LION
In Kenya, where Ewaso Lion works, less than 2000 lions remain. Our friends at Ewaso Lions suggest that the following actions can help protect the African Lion:
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Donate to support vital work on the ground helping to save lions. The funds are directed towards their field programs.
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Sign up for their newsletter to keep up with their most recent projects.
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Follow them on Instagram and Facebook and help spread the word!
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