What’s Happening to Lions?

Lions are one of the most majestic creatures on this planet. Many people recognize their beauty and would travel to another country in order to see them in the wild. However, lions are currently at a serious risk of becoming extinct. It was only in 2015 that lions were listed as endangered, but some experts estimate that they could go extinct by 2050. These creatures are beautiful and certainly deserve to be known as “King of the Beasts.” I was able to see lions in person when I went to South Africa on my honeymoon and it’s an experience I will never forget. Lions in the wild are an incredible treasure and we must do all we can to prevent them from leaving the wild.

Some facts

Lions are native to areas of Africa and India, which feature different subspecies of the creatures. Their habitats are typically grasslands or savannahs and they avoid dense forest, unlike many of the other big cats. These cats also live in prides, large groups consisting of a few males and many more females. Some prides may only consist of a few lions, but with enough space, it could be as large as 20 adults. Lions are also most active during the day, however, if they feel threatened or benefit from being more active at night, they can adapt to a new nocturnal routine. To learn more about lions, you can visit this page.

Why they’re in danger

While some populations of lions are only listed as threatened, others, such as the West African population, are considered seriously endangered. There are also populations of lions that have become extinct, due to various reasons. There is not one clear reason why the lion population has decreased so seriously, but it’s more likely a combination of factors, such as poaching, trophy hunting, and habitat loss. Lions require large amounts of space and food in order to survive and as humans move into their territory, these resources become scarce.

Since about three decades ago, the lion population has been cut in half. For African lions, these numbers are much more drastic, with over 80 percent of lions having been wiped out. A lot of this change has to do with trophy hunting, an incredibly popular pastime that still occurs all too often.

How you can help

If you feel motivated to help the effort to keep lions around, there are various ways you can work toward this goal. First and foremost, finding an organization that you support and connect to its message is a great option. You can donate time or money to them and help their efforts to conserve lion populations. My personal favorite is the African Lion & Environmental Research Trust (ALERT), but there are plenty of other organizations out there you can choose from. Another great way to help out these big cats is simply through spreading awareness. Educate yourself and share what you learn so other people understand how incredible lions are and the importance of keeping them on this planet.

Let’s Talk About Mountain Lions

Mountain lions also go by various other names, such as cougar, puma, or catamount. You can find them throughout North and South America and they are the second-heaviest cat in the world. While mountain lions are very large, they are also closely related to domestic cats. However, do not let this family connection fool you; mountain lions can be deadly. While mountain lions are not as common in the United States as they once were, you may still run into one while out in the woods, so it’s important to know some basic facts about them and also how you can protect this vulnerable species.

Hunting traits

In the Americas, mountain lions are one of the top predators, placed next to the gray wolf and different types of bears. Due to their size and skills, cougars have few natural predators, often only competing with the other apex predators in the Americas. Currently, the biggest threat to mountain lions are humans, due to poaching and habitat fragmentation.

Cougars are mainly solitary predators who spend most of their time alone, ruling over wide territories. These big cats are very reclusive and rarely approach people. Mountain lion attacks are rare and often occur because humans have begun encroaching on their territories or interfered with a hunt. Mountain lions typically hunt deer, though they will also hunt smaller animals if necessary and the opportunity arises. They’re nocturnal and do most of their hunting during dusk or dawn, which is made possible by their fantastic hearing and sight. This big cat is mostly muscle, particularly their powerful back legs, which allow them to jump around 40 feet when pouncing.

Threatened status

While mountains lions are not considered seriously threatened, their population is steadily decreasing. In some areas of the Americas, they run the risk of having their populations completely wiped out by farmers or other humans who do not want the cats around their homes. It’s understandable that people are upset if they feel threatened or have their animals hunted by cougars, but it’s also important to remember that we’re in their territory and to take steps to avoid conflict. In some states, hunting cougars is legal, but must also be carefully regulated. Recently, it’s been shown that these animals are moving further east in the United States as they search for new territory. It’s important to respect their space, but also take steps to keep yourself safe in order to peacefully coexist with them.

What you can do
One of the best steps you can take to protect mountain lions is educating yourself. Know where their habitats are and what signs to look out for that would indicate a mountain lion is nearby. Avoiding these animals as much as you can keeps them (and you) safe. You can also donate to and volunteer at wildlife refuges that protect cougars. If you encounter a cougar in the wild, back away as slowly as possible, make yourself look large, and make a lot of noise to intimidate them.