African Lion

Lions are the only truly social cats, with related females residing together in prides and related or unrelated males forming coalitions that compete for tenure of prides in fierce and often fatal battles (1). Despite maternal defence, infanticide by the victorious males is common following a pride takeover. This seemingly horrific practice means the lionesses are capable of breeding again sooner, and the reproductive potential of the males is maximised in their often relatively short period of pride tenure. Females are able to breed at four years, males at five, and one to six cubs are born after a 3.5 month gestation period. Females are the predominant care-givers to cubs, which are dependent upon adults until about 16 months old. Related females within a pride are often found to reproduce in synchrony and then cross-suckle their cubs (7). Prides usually consist of four to six adults and their young, which break into smaller groups when hunting (1). Lions are predatory carnivores, with females performing most of the hunting, usually at night to avoid detection (4). They feed upon almost any animal, from rodent to rhino, but medium- to large-sized ungulates, such as antelope, zebra and wildebeest, form the bulk of their prey. They will also scavenge, chasing other predators away from their kills (1).

In most countries hunting of lions is either prohibited or regulated so that only dangerous animals can be killed, although trophy hunting does remain permissible in a few countries in Africa (6). The Asiatic lion (P. l. persica) is fully protected in India, but another separate population is desperately needed in order to prevent the subspecies being wiped out completely in the wild by an epidemic or other disaster affecting a single population (7) (8). The Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Madhya Pradesh has been identified as a potential reintroduction site in India. In both Africa and Asia, the understanding and cooperation of the community is crucial in ensuring the future of this big cat. Fortunately, the lion is a powerful cultural icon for Africa and one of the highest valued eco-tourism species on the continent, which is now being promoted as an incentive to do everything possible to protect this magnificent 'King of Beasts' (7).

It seems that no animal has inspired the imagination of man more than the lion. Characterised as fearsome, courageous and majestic, the lion's strength and ferocity has earned it accolades such as 'King of Beasts' in many cultures (2). As the largest African carnivore and rivalling the tiger (Panthera tigris) as the largest of the 'big cats', the lion is built to prey on animals many times its size, its strong jaws and muscular build emanating an image of sheer power. Males are larger than females and typically posses a mane of hair around their heads, a feature unique amongst the cat family (Felidae) (4). The rest of the coat is short and tawny in colour for both sexes, paler on the underside, without markings. The backs of the ears and the tuft of hair at the tip of the tail are dark brown or black (5). Lion cubs are born with brown rosettes that disappear with maturity, although some lions retain faint spots (6). Asiatic lions (P.l. persica), the only subspecies found outside the African continent, are slightly smaller than their African cousins, and have shorter, thinner manes, clear of the ears, and a fold of skin running the length of their belly that is rare in African lions (7) (8).

Lions have a broad habitat tolerance, ranging from the savannah woodlands of East Africa to the sands of the Kalahari Desert (2). However, thick brush, scrub, and grass complexes appear to be optimal habitats in providing cover for hunting and denning. Lions have also been recorded to venture high into the mountains of East Africa, up to 4,240 m in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains (4).

Formerly ranging throughout Eurasia and Africa (8) (9), lions are now found only in sub-Saharan Africa, and a small isolated population of Asiatic lions (P. l. persica) remains in the Gir Forest in western India (1), where a 2005 census reported just 359 lions (8).

Classified as Vulnerable (VU - A2abcd) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1), and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3). Subspecies: Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) classified as Critically Endangered (CR C2a(ii)) on the IUCN Red List 2004 (1), and listed on Appendix I of CITES (3).

Historically lions have been killed for sport (6) and they are generally considered serious problem animals whose existence is in conflict with human settlement and cattle farming (4). The increasing spread of farmlands has reduced the lion's habitat and wild prey base, resulting in increased stock-raiding behaviour (1). This makes lions particularly vulnerable to poisoned carcasses that are put out to eliminate predators. Lions are often seen as vermin and shot on sight, even in protected areas. Publicity of lions as human killers only adds to their unfavourable reputation. Asiatic lions are far more threatened than African lions, and their small gene pool, and therefore genetic instability, puts them at greater risk of epidemics of diseases such as tuberculosis, FIV, and canine distemper virus (6). A population of just 359 individuals is desperately low, but this figure nevertheless represents an increase on a the figures a century ago when rough estimates of the population ranged between 12 and 100 remaining, as a result of intensive hunting (8).