Is there a future for the lion?
At the current rate, lions could go extinct by 2050.
Why are lions killed?
Trophies
Majestic animals like Cecil the lion continue to be hunted for sport.
Poaching
Lion bones are crushed and used in medicine or processed into expensive wine.
Retaliation
Farmers will kill lions in retaliation for livestock deaths.
What’s the cost?
Lions have lost 85% of their historic range
Lions and people are in close quarters due to expanding human populations and the resulting growth of agriculture, settlements, and roads.
Their numbers have rapidly declined
100 years ago, the lion population was approximately 200,000. Now it is estimated as less than 23,000.
And it’s not just lions.
Black Rhino: Population Down 97.6% Since 1960
African Elephant: At Risk Of Extinction In 10 Years
Mountain Gorilla: Fewer Than 900 Remain
Giraffe: Overall Population Down 40% In Past 15 Years
Grevy’s Zebra: Approximately 2,000 Remain
We are reversing the trend:
Stop The Killing
Equip anti-poaching rangers and help build livestock enclosures called bomas to reduce human-lion conflict.
Stop The Trafficking
Station canine detection units in major ports and work with government to punish traffickers.
Stop The Demand
Bring successful advocacy campaigns to countries where there is a market for illegal wildlife products.
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is the leading international conservation organization focused solely on Africa. We believe that protecting Africa's wildlife and wild landscapes is the key to the future prosperity of Africa and its people — and for over 50 years, we have made it our work to help ensure that Africa's wild resources endure.
Photos courtesy of Billy Dodson, Barbara von Hoffmann / vonhoffmannphotography.com, Poulomee Basu, Craig R. Sholley, and Paul Thomson.