Lion Facts

Scientific name: Panthera leo

Probably the most sought after member of Africa’s Big Five animals, lions are one of most recognizable animals around. Their trademark manes and resounding roars attract travelers from all over the world, though these social cats often receive little benefit.

Despite their popularity and fame, lions are facing major threats to their existence; conservation travel to African communities to see lions in the wild can help make a major difference in efforts to protect them.

Learn more facts about lions and other big cats.

Lion Conservation Safaris:

Lion Facts

• The lion is the only big cat that lives in a large group or 'pride', with as many as 40 individuals, primarily female and cubs.
• They can get their water from plants and prey and go as long as days without drinking.
• An adult lion's roar can be heard up to five miles (eight kilometers) away.
• Females do almost all of the hunting.
• Ironically, though their nickname is “King of the Jungle”, one of the few habitats on the continent where they don’t live is the rain forest of Central Africa.
• They are the second largest cat after tigers.

Distribution

Most live in Africa south of the Sahara Desert, though at one time they were spread across the Middle East, much of India, and southern Europe. Currently, a small population of Asian Lions that live in the Gir Forest of India are the only wild lions outside of Africa.

They are now extinct from 26 countries that they used to inhabit and their range has decreased more than 80 percent.

Status

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Population Trend: Decreasing

Lion numbers have dropped an estimated 30 percent over the past twenty years, to less than a total of 30,000. Their top threat is conflicts with humans, especially when they hunt livestock, often resulting in the owners hunting them. Trophy hunting is a controversial but popular recreational activity in Africa.

Learn about other threats here. 

What Is SEEtheWILD?

We're a non-profit wildlife conservation travel organization that supports local efforts to protect endangered animals. We work with quality tour operators who have passed our criteria to ensure low environmental impact. We're part of The Ocean Foundation.

To learn more about lions, contact us.