Around a hundred years ago there were likely as many as 200,000 lions living wild in Africa. Recent surveys put the number of wild lions at around 30,000 or even as low as 20,000. Around a third of African lions are thought have disappeared in the past 20 years.
Estimates of the historic number of lions in Africa range from approximately 400,000 in 1950 (Myers 1975) to 75,800 individuals in 1980 (Ferreras and Cousins 1996).
Their numbers have rapidly declined
100 years ago, the lion population was approximately 200,000. Now it is estimated as less than 23,000.
But, according to National Geographic's calculations, the real slaughter of lions occurred only in the past two centuries. In 1800, estimates of the overall population were about what they had been for most of history — 1 million or so. But the decades thereafter saw a pronounced decline.
The team and a panel of lion experts used the savannah data to refine estimates of lion populations, which had ranged between 20,000 and 40,000 across Africa. Their estimate: 32,000 lions remain, down from an estimated 100,000 in 1960.
Around a hundred years ago there were likely as many as 200,000 lions living wild in Africa. Recent surveys put the number of wild lions at around 30,000 or even as low as 20,000. Around a third of African lions are thought have disappeared in the past 20 years.
In the early 2000's, several initiatives estimated the population of wild lions in Africa, drawing on recent scientific surveys as well as expert opinions. Two estimates were of 22,800 individuals on one hand to 39,000 individuals.
The researchers determined that the prehistoric lions were 25 per cent bigger than the species of African lions living today, and had longer legs to chase their prey.
The team's research suggests that in 1970, the estimated population size was more than 92,000 across the continent. Africa's lion population has thus declined by 75% over the last five decades. This is roughly a decline of 1 400 lions per year over five decades.
American lions roamed across North America for thousands of years. However, around 10,000 years ago, they went extinct, alongside many other ice age animals. The exact reasons are unknown. Their demise may have been due to human actions, climate change, or both.
Cape Lions were similar in size to African Lions but slightly lighter. The largest Cape lions weighed around 270 kg (594 lbs), while the largest African lions weigh about 310 kg (682 lbs). As with the Barbary lion, several people and institutions claim to have Cape lions.
Though some details remain unclear, many archaeologists and historians now use this evidence to conclude that modern lions once lived alongside people in parts of what is today Europe, including Greece, for hundreds of years.
No lions or bears remain in Israel. Lions and bears have already become extinct, while other animals like the cheetah are gone for now from Israel. There are over 240 endangered animals in this country, including: Buxton's Jird.
In 2008, the Lions had one of the worst seasons of any major American pro sports team. They lost all 16 of their regular season games. They were the first NFL team to finish a season with no wins and 16 losses after their loss to the Green Bay Packers.
As the top of the food chain, lions are critical to wildlife management. Without lions, the ecological balance of our African savannas would be severely altered. Lions provide for all the scavengers like hyena, jackal, and vultures who eat the lions' leftovers.
The number one country with the highest numbers of lions in the wild is Tanzania. Some scientists expect the number to be around 15,000 wild lions. However, there are still some places where you have a pretty good chance of seeing a lion in the wild. We show you some of the best places to see lions here.
Given the general congruence among our estimates, we conclude that the most likely split time between cave and modern lions is ca. 500,000 y ago.
The team and a panel of lion experts used the savannah data to refine estimates of lion populations, which had ranged between 20,000 and 40,000 across Africa. Their estimate: 32,000 lions remain, down from an estimated 100,000 in 1960.
National Geographic is supporting crucial conservation efforts through their Big Cats Initiative... Crucial, because in 2014, there were an estimated 34,000 lions in Africa, down from 250,000 in 1975.
Meet the majestic lions! Monarto Safari Park is home to one of Australia's largest lion prides. With three adult females, three sub-adult females, three adult males and three cubs, the lion habitat is always a hive of activity!
There is no 'Lion King'
Despite what Disney's classic movie would have you believe, prides don't have a Mufasa or Simba in charge of all other lions (or all other African animals for that matter). Rather than a king or queen, lions live in a egalitarian society without ranking.
The largest lion ever recorded in the wild reportedly weighed 690 pounds and was shot in South Africa in 1936. There are two extant subspecies of lions, meaning two subspecies that are not extinct.
Pleistocene records
The oldest fossils excavated near Pakefield in the United Kingdom are estimated at 680,000 years old, and represent Panthera leo fossilis. Lion fossils were excavated in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Russia.
Origin of a Species. Fossil evidence suggests that the earliest lion-like cat (P. l. fossilis) appeared at Laetoli in Tanzania in East Africa during the Late Pliocene (5.0–1.8 million years ago).
Lions, and all members of the cat family, are believed to be descended from a common ancestor, called Proailurus Lemanensis which means simply 'first cat', a cat-like creature that stalked the Earth 25 million years ago.