Lions are one of the most majestic creatures on this planet. Many people recognize their beauty and would travel to another country in order to see them in the wild. However, lions are currently at a serious risk of becoming extinct. It was only in 2015 that lions were listed as endangered, but some experts estimate that they could go extinct by 2050. These creatures are beautiful and certainly deserve to be known as “King of the Beasts.” I was able to see lions in person when I went to South Africa on my honeymoon and it’s an experience I will never forget. Lions in the wild are an incredible treasure and we must do all we can to prevent them from leaving the wild.
Some facts
Lions are native to areas of Africa and India, which feature different subspecies of the creatures. Their habitats are typically grasslands or savannahs and they avoid dense forest, unlike many of the other big cats. These cats also live in prides, large groups consisting of a few males and many more females. Some prides may only consist of a few lions, but with enough space, it could be as large as 20 adults. Lions are also most active during the day, however, if they feel threatened or benefit from being more active at night, they can adapt to a new nocturnal routine. To learn more about lions, you can visit this page.
Why they’re in danger
While some populations of lions are only listed as threatened, others, such as the West African population, are considered seriously endangered. There are also populations of lions that have become extinct, due to various reasons. There is not one clear reason why the lion population has decreased so seriously, but it’s more likely a combination of factors, such as poaching, trophy hunting, and habitat loss. Lions require large amounts of space and food in order to survive and as humans move into their territory, these resources become scarce.
Since about three decades ago, the lion population has been cut in half. For African lions, these numbers are much more drastic, with over 80 percent of lions having been wiped out. A lot of this change has to do with trophy hunting, an incredibly popular pastime that still occurs all too often.
How you can help
If you feel motivated to help the effort to keep lions around, there are various ways you can work toward this goal. First and foremost, finding an organization that you support and connect to its message is a great option. You can donate time or money to them and help their efforts to conserve lion populations. My personal favorite is the African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (ALERT), but there are plenty of other organizations out there you can choose from. Another great way to help out these big cats is simply through spreading awareness. Educate yourself and share what you learn so other people understand how incredible lions are and the importance of keeping them on this planet.
