Its World Lion Day!
Lion Cubs playing on termite mound in the Okavango Delta, Bostwana
Image via Wild at Heart Journeys
Today, August 10, is World Lion Day. A day to celebrate these incredible animals and raise awareness about the challenges they face in the wild.
Lions have been revered throughout history and are one of the most popular animals in the world. But despite this, they are now perilously close to extinction. It is estimated that there are only 20,000-30,000 wild lions remaining on the planet.
The main threats to lion populations are habitat loss, trophy hunting, and conflict with humans. As human populations continue to grow, lion habitat is shrinking. This puts lions in closer proximity to people, which often leads to conflict. Trophy hunting also poses a significant threat to lion populations. Every year, hundreds of lions are killed by trophy hunters, with even more being lost to the illegal wildlife trade.
Male Lion calling out to his pride and letting other males in the area know he is around.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Image via Wild at Heart Journeys
There area many Conservation efforts are working to protect lion populations and their habitat. For example:
Lion Recovery Fund is working to double the number of lions in the wild by 2050.
Lion Guardians employs and trains local lion guardians, who then work in lion territory to help reduce conflict between lions and people.
Ruaha Carnivore Project & Lion Landscapes Once two separate programs, are have merged together in their work to reduce human-lion conflict by relocating lions that pose a threat to livestock, and by working with local communities to promote coexistence.
Zambian Carnivore Project works to protect lion populations by conducting research, educating local communities, and working with the government to create better policies for lion conservation.
African Parks Save the Lion Program campaign is a pan-African lion conservation initiative that works to protect lion populations through various efforts such as translocating lions to new areas, conducting research, and raising awareness about lion conservation.
Lion Conservation Fund works to protect lion populations in Africa through various efforts such as conducting research, promoting lion-friendly land management practices, and working with local communities.
Finishing off a kill. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Image via Wild at Heart Journeys
These are just a few of the many lion conservation projects making a difference for these magnificent animals. On World Lion Day, let's remember these amazing animals and commit to doing what we can to help protect them.
Robin Francis of WAHJ has been providing African travel services for over 10 years and travels frequently to the continent to meet with partners and experience their lodging, amenities, and activities first hand. Partners regard her as one of the most knowledgeable African travel consultants in the US, who has also invested in giving back to the communities she works with. Robin and WAHJ are available for complete travel booking throughout Africa or consulting on bookings made through other providers.