Lions, often celebrated as the “kings of the jungle,” hold a unique place in the animal kingdom for their majestic appearance and distinct social structure. Unlike other big cats, which lead largely solitary lives, lions are inherently social creatures. They live in groups known as “pride,” which are complex, matriarchal societies comprising two to eighteen females (lionesses), their offspring, and a transient coalition of one to two adult males. This social system facilitates shared responsibilities among members, including hunting, defending territory, and caring for the young. Such enduring ties within pride exemplify a remarkable level of cooperation and social bonding rarely observed in other feline species.
The territories of lion pride can span vast areas necessary to support their needs for food, water, and breeding grounds. These territories are fiercely defended against rival pride and other threats, with lionesses often taking the lead in protection and hunting. The communal care for cubs within a pride allows for a higher survival rate, as all the lionesses in a group participate in rearing the young, irrespective of kinship. This shared parenting responsibility ensures that the pride’s offspring have a better chance at reaching adulthood, thus sustaining the pride’s future.
Historically, lions roamed across Europe, Asia, and Africa, reigning over a far more extensive range than they do today. However, their current distribution is limited primarily to sub-Saharan Africa, with a small, isolated population in the Gir Forest of India. Over the last quarter-century, the lion population has suffered a drastic decline, shrinking by half due to various factors.
The lion’s disappearance from 94% of its historic range underscores the urgent need for effective conservation measures. Protecting their natural habitats, implementing sustainable coexistence strategies for human and lion populations, and regulating hunting practices are crucial steps in ensuring the survival of this iconic species.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Official estimate
Algeria
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Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Official estimate
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
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Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Djibouti
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Egypt
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Equatorial Guinea
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Eritrea
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Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
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Gambia
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Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
India
Iran
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Iraq
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Israel
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Jordan
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Kenya
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Kuwait
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Lebanon
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Lesotho
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Liberia
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Libya
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Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
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Morocco
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Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Pakistan
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Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
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Senegal
Sierra Leone
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Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
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Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
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Turkey
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Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweRecent updates
March 2024: The Ugandan Minister of Tourism and Wildlife reported a 45% decline in the country’s lion population over nearly 20 years, dropping from 493 to 275 in 2023, due to increasing human-wildlife conflicts.
January 2024: The Kenya Wildlife Service reports a 25% increase in Kenya’s lion population over the past decade, growing from 2,000 in 2010 to 2,589 in 2021, with even higher numbers in 2023.
April 2023: A lion has been spotted in Chad’s Sena Oura National Park for the first time in almost 20 years. Researchers had previously believed the species was extinct in the area near Chad’s border with Cameroon.
May 2021: The South African government has taken a crucial step toward animal protection by prohibiting the captivity of lions in South Africa and banning the commercial use of captive lions and their byproducts, as outlined in a recent report. Not to mention that 85% of lions there in game reserves and captivity.
Did you know?
- Half of the cubs can not reach the age of one.
- Males in pride patrol, mark, and guard the pride’s territory and sometimes cubs.
- Lions are opportunistic hunters as well as scavengers. They even love “fast food” such as wildebeest, gemsbok, zebra, buffalo, and giraffe.
- Trophy hunting also threatens lions in protected habitats like national parks by targeting adult males for hunting, creating “vacuum effect”.
- They are the only cats who roar together, even young cubs joining in with their mews, isn’t that lovely?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Troops
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
Lion on banknotes
