The IUCN Red List has classified the lion as vulnerable. Lions are found mainly in Africa and there are several large and well-managed protected areas on the continent where their population lives.

There was a time when the lion was widespread throughout Asia. (Image credit: Unsplash)

New Delhi: Every year on August 10th, World Lion Day is observed to pay tribute to the mighty king of the jungle and celebrate the majestic animals that enchant us with their regal beauty and strength. Big Cat Rescue, the largest recognized lion sanctuary in the world, was the first to create this day. The day not only serves to honor the animals but also as a platform to raise awareness about their declining numbers and the importance of protecting them. Since the early 20th century, the lion population has been declining due to several factors including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and of course rampant poaching.

How is the lion protected in Asia and Africa?

The situation in Africa

The IUCN Red List classifies the lion as vulnerable. Lions are found mainly in Africa and there are several large and well-managed protected areas on the continent where their population lives. Thanks to the lion, wildlife tourism has been developed in Africa, which brings good income to the park authorities and local communities, providing additional motivation for lion conservation.

Due to their dwindling population, lions are now found mainly in southern and eastern Africa. It is estimated that the lion population declined by 30 to 50 percent in the second half of the 20th century, mainly due to human interference and disease. In 1975, it was estimated that their population had declined by half since the 1950s, to 200,000 or fewer.

In particular, the Odzala-Kokoua National Park in Congo was once a huge home for lions, but today there are none left there. In West Africa, lions thrive in three protected areas, mainly in a population in the WAP protected area complex shared by Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin, which is considered critically endangered. There is reportedly a lion population in the Waza National Park in Cameroon and also in the Arly-Singou ecosystem in Burkina Faso. Lion conservation strategies were formulated for Africa in 2005 and aim to protect the animals’ habitat, conserve their wild prey base and make their coexistence with humans sustainable.

Protecting lions in Asia

There was a time when lions were found all over Asia. Today, Asiatic lions are found only in the Gir National Park in Gujarat and the surrounding areas of Saurashtra. While their population was around 180 in 1974, it rose to 400 in 2010. By 2015, the population had increased to 523. However, human settlements near the Gir National Park have led to human-wildlife conflicts.

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