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The lion is one of the most magnificent and revered animals on earth, yet few realize the species is in a race against extinction.
Join us to learn why Africa's lions are in crisis and how you can help to #LetLionsLive.
Lions may be known as the “King of Beasts,” but they’re no match for humans.
In just the past 25 years, since the first “The Lion King” movie was released and Cecil the lion’s killing caused an international uproar, lion populations in Africa have declined by 50 percent. Today, only 20,000 wild lions remain.
Lions are on the brink of extinction in all but the largest and best managed national parks. The species is threatened by conflict with people, loss of prey to the illegal bushmeat trade, trophy hunting, and increasingly, direct poaching for their bones and body parts.
While the species is under tremendous pressure from these and other human-caused threats, there is hope for lions. In high-potential lionscapes across Africa, Panthera, WildAid and our partners--governments, NGOs and rural Africans--are proving that together we can stop the killing and rebuild lion populations.
Learn more about how you can help us save the extraordinary African lion.
THE LION KING
But Africa’s challenges to conserve its wildlife are also vast and complex. It will take nothing less than a global uproar to unlock the resources necessary to save wild lions and their wild places. Indeed, without lions, we risk losing so much more--from elephants to meerkats. If the future of lions and all of Africa’s wildlife matters to you, you can help.
Take the #LetLionsLive pledge of support today!
I urge my country’s leaders to prioritize financial support to Africa for management of its protected areas.
Lions need adequately funded, well-managed protected areas to thrive. The massive cost of maintaining these vast protected area networks is prohibitive for many African governments. International investment in protected areas helps African countries to develop their tourism industries, fuelling sustainable rural development and creating jobs.I stand with Africa in its efforts to promote co-existence between people and wildlife.
As people and their livestock encroach on lions’ landscapes, conflict is inevitable. Proven solutions to reducing conflict need to be implemented alongside legal frameworks that allow communities and landowners to realize the benefits from co-existing with wildlife. Further incentives for local communities to tolerate wildlife are needed to replace revenue from practices like hunting that deplete lion populations.I pledge never to eat bushmeat—the meat of wild animals.
While some bushmeat is consumed for subsistence, a high proportion is hunted illegally to meet local urban and, in some cases, overseas demand, where bushmeat is rising in status as a luxury item. Bushmeat poaching is stripping Africa’s savannahs of the prey lions need to live, driving human-wildlife conflict where livestock becomes a prey substitute. Moreover, the crude snares used to catch wild animals often trap lions instead, leading to cruel and lengthy deaths.I refuse to buy, sell or promote products that are made from the parts of lions.
Lion parts, including bones, fur, teeth and skin are often sold in both African and Asian markets, frequented by local customers and tourists alike. Global demand for these products — whether used for medicinal or decorative purposes — is on the rise and poses an increasing threat to wild lion populations.I pledge not to patronize close-encounter lion attractions.
Across Africa, commercial lion encounter operations draw in thousands of tourists, offering opportunities to feed, pet and walk with captive lions. While captive breeding facilities claim to benefit conservation, they do not contribute to wild lion conservation and in fact are often detrimental. Lion cubs are taken away from their mothers shortly after birth, and when they outgrow tourists’ laps, are often sold to canned hunting operations.
Home to almost half of the world's remaining wild lions, Tanzania has an important contribution to make to big cat conservation. Working with local stakeholders, WildAid will launch Be The Pride in the fall of 2019. This Swahili- and English-language initiative will mobilize communities to recognize lions as the pride of Tanzania. Stay tuned for updates.