World Lion Day: Saving the King of Beasts to Save Ourselves

September 5, 2014 admin Africa's endangered animals, Tunde Folawiyo, tunde folawiyo africa, tunde folawiyo bio, tunde folawiyo executive, tunde folawiyo profile, West African Lion

Lions have walked the earth since Paleolithic times, as evidenced by their representation in works of art by numerous ancient civilisations, from the Greece to India.  Lions are mentioned in the texts of all major religions; indeed, in the Bible they are referenced 157 times, more than any other animal that existed in that era. Today their shrinking numbers are a cause of great consternation and concern to conservationists like Tunde Folawiyo.

When we think of the lion, the word usually conjures up images of the African lion, so synonymous with the savanna. They once lived in most parts of the continent, though now are only found in pockets of southern and eastern Africa and the south Sahara.  The population of lions in Africa has shrunk since the 1950s by over 50%.  Today there are less than 21,000 in the whole continent.

One particular cause of conflict between lions and humans is where part of the lion’s habitat is cleared for agriculture. Lions do not recognise property lines; they cannot differentiate between wild animals and livestock.  Herds of cattle are, for them, easy pickings. The farmer invests a lot of time and money in his livestock – he cannot afford losses. Add to that the threat posed to herders minding the flocks, and it’s plain to see why such conflicts often end in lions being shot.  Agriculture is only set to expand across the African continent over the coming decades, and so it is imperative that we find a way to co-exist, otherwise the future of the lion in Africa is at serious risk.

The Asiatic lion is perilously close to extinction, with only around 260 animals still living in the wild.  Once widespread from the Middle East to India, just a tiny pocket of these majestic creatures exist in India’s Gir Forest, a heavily protected reserve.

World Lion Day is held annually on 10th August to highlight the plight of this magnificent creature. Though the lion can still be found on all four corners of the globe, their numbers are in decline. From trophy hunters to loss of habitat to disease and climate change, their survival is under threat.

World Lion Day is supported by National Geographic and the African Conservation Foundation in raising awareness of the plight of the lions, a subject of particular importance to African conservationist, Tunde Folawiyo. For those who wish to view additional information about Tunde Folawiyo, there is more available on the Zimbio profile page.

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