The Decline in the Lion Population in Africa and Possible Mitigation Measures

Abstract

The African lion Panthera leo is under threat. Over the last century the lion has lost about 82 % of its former distribution range, and recent estimates suggest that there are 23,000–38,000 free-ranging lions living in 68 mostly geographically isolated areas. Approximately 24,000 lions are in strongholds, but about 6000 lions are living in populations with a high risk of local extinction, of which about 3000 are in West and Central Africa. Particularly critical is the situation in West Africa, with perhaps only 400 individuals, of which less than 250 are adults. Main threats for lions are habitat loss through agricultural development and human settlement, depletion of prey populations, human–wildlife conflict, epidemics and diseases and trade of lion parts. Conflict mitigation between humans and lions, mainly investigated in rural areas in West and East Africa, have successfully reduced livestock losses and subsequently reduced the number of lions killed. However, mitigation measures alone might fail to secure the critically endangered lion population in West Africa, where translocations and reintroductions might be necessary to counteract genetic impoverishment. Despite encouraging human wildlife coexistence, other approaches for effective long-term conservation of African lions, and the lions’ prey species, favor the separation of land used by humans and conservation areas through the erection of fences. Fences have already been erected in many areas in southern Africa, where lion populations are still viable. Ecotourism and trophy hunting can also be beneficial for lion conservation. However, revenues and user rights over wildlife have to be devolved to local people. This has been successfully implemented in Namibia, which is one of the few countries where lion populations are currently increasing. Although trophy hunting can be a useful conservation tool for conserving lions, it can also be a threat. Therefore, improved regulations and management of lion hunting to prevent negative impacts on hunted lion populations is necessary in many countries. If the downwards trend in lion numbers continues, it is questionable if there will be still lions around in the next century.