Support given to the African Lion

The lion is perhaps the most iconographic of all the African savanna species. Their presence on the savanna immeasurably increases eco-tourism. In zoos, they help demonstrate the interdependency of all species. Breeding programs that maintain healthy captive animals are essential for the future of the species. Respect for traditional lifestyle and educational support empowers local populations to help save their ecosystem and the lions dependent upon it. Each institute project supported by the zoo aims to provide a broad, holistic approach to conservation, encompassing research, education, habitat and species preservation. This includes comprehensive, cooperative strategies to link the needs of animals with the people who share their ecosystems. The effort to save animal species requires cooperation and support at the international, national, regional and individual levels. You can help in this cause. Join and become active in Woodland Park Zoo and other conservation organization of your choice. Let your elected representatives know your views on protecting endangered species and wild habitats. Please do not buy products made from animal parts.

Importance of the African Lion

Lions are apex predators, which means that they are the top predators in their and have almost no natural predators. Apex predators are important to the environment because they keep the herbivore populations in check. The U.S. has played an enormous role in the disappearance of the African lion: As African lion populations and range have declined, the number of sport-hunted lion trophies imported to the U.S. has increased dramatically. Between 1999 and 2008, 7,090 lion trophies were traded internationally at the behest of recreational hunters. Most of these trophies (4,139) were imported to the U.S. In the same decade, 2,715 wild-caught lion specimens (that is, lions and their body parts) were also traded internationally for commercial purposes. The U.S. imported 1,700 of these specimens (63 percent). The specimens most often traded commercially were claws, trophies, skins, live animals, skulls, and bodies.

Why the African Lion is endangered

Lions are facing an indirect threat from climate change called co-infection. Lions periodically face outbreaks of the disease distemper, and usually weather them with little mortality. However, distemper outbreaks in 1994 and 2001 caused massive die-offs. Researchers found that the key environmental factor in the 1994 and 2001 epidemics was the occurrence of a severe drought.
One result of this drought was that both the lions’ prey, weakened with malnutrition, became heavily infested with ticks, which in turn infested the lions as they fed. The ticks, it turned out, carried a blood parasite that rendered the less able to cope with canine distemper virus, and the combination of the two diseases killed many more lions than either disease commonly would acting on its own. Droughts such as the ones that led to deadly co-infection in lions are predicted to become more commonplace as the climate warms.
Lions are also facing many human threats such as population growth and agricultural expansion resulting in loss of natural habitat, as well as hunting, poisoning and poaching by livestock ranchers. Also human population growth is another threat to the lions because humans are encroaching upon their habitats.

Niche of the Lion

African lions live in grasslands and Savannas. The lion is the only cat that hunts in groups, enabling it to prey on animals bigger than itself. Preferred prey animals are wildebeests, zebras, and warthogs. Lions share their habitat with many other predators, such as hyenas, wild dogs, crocodiles, and cheetahs.
When a male lion takes over a pride, he will kill all the cubs fathered by the previous male. A lot of times, males will help the females hunt. The male would jump out at prey and then chase it towards the waiting females. Lion cubs have spots, although these usually fade when they get older. 

Pictures of The African Lions

Description of the African Lion

The lion is the second largest cat after the tiger. Scientifically classified, lions are under the Felidae family and in the genus Panthera. Lions live approximately 10-14 years {while in the wild}, and up to 20 years when held in captivity. Male lions are known to be easily recognized due to their manes or "line of hair along the spines of their necks. Most male lions range in weights of 330-500 lbs and most of the females range in weights from 260-330 lbs. Many lions reside in Africa, mainly in parts south of the Sahara Desert. They live in different habitats like semi-deserts, deciduous forests, but they are more prone to live in the savannas. Out of all of the cat family, the lions are said to be the most social. They live in organized groups that may hold up to four to forty members known as prides. In these prides, there are maybe up to six males, related lionesses, and their cubs. The females of the pride are the hunters and nurturers of the cubs and the males are the protectors.

Habits of the African Lion

The only social member of the cat family, lions live in large groups called "prides," consisting of about 15 lions. Related females and their young make up the majority of the pride. A single male or sometimes a small group of 2-3 males, will join a pride for an indefinite period, usually about 3 years or until another group of males takes over.
Lions within a pride are often affectionate and, when resting, seem to enjoy good fellowship with lots of touching, head rubbing, licking and purring. The males are territorial, and will roar and use scent markings to establish their domains.
Females do almost all of the hunting. They are mainly nocturnal and work in teams to stalk and ambush prey. Lions inhabit grassy plains, savannahs, open woodlands and scrub country. These landscapes allow the hunters to creep stealthily through vegetation and leap upon their unsuspecting prey.