Save African Lions! Why in the world do they need saving?

There he was right on top of Lion Rock. He’s mane waving in the wind as he watched the Land Rover bounce along closer to his sovereign place. In the middle of the Savannah in the Serengeti there are a cluster of rock koppies (hills) called Lion Rock. What a sight! This majestic male lion living wild and free as nature intended.

Unfortunately, the lion population in Africa has gone from 450,000 to less than 20,000 in the last half century! (According to Dereck Joubert.) Yes, it’s time to save African Lions.

In our travels we’ve learned there are many working hard to save African Lions. However, most important is that you and I do our part.

But let me start at the beginning.

5 Ways to Save African Lions from Being Lost Forever

Top of the List has to be…

Saving Wild Lions and Their Homes

One of the lions biggest threat is habitat loss. Basically we humans are taking away their homes. As human populations in Africa expand wild places for lions (and all wildlife) shrinks.

Marnus is about saving wild lions and their homes in a large vast seemingly untouched area in Namibia. His very holistic approach includes engaging the local SAN people and many others with an interest in protecting (and where necessary restoring) the wildlife to how it can be now. Marnus’ vision is to benefit all… the people, the lions, all wildlife… pretty much an entire ecosystem.

Read more about Marnus and his quest to save African lions

Saving Wild Lions in Conflict with Humans

Along with habitat loss comes competition for food. Lions are no dummies and when cattle posts show up in their hunting area… Of course farmers don’t like it when their livestock gets killed and they retaliate. What has proven to solve this problem, at least for now, is lights. Philipo, a Maasai farmer in Tanzania and Patti from Pennsylvania teamed up to help. Over 600 bomas (kraals) have been equipped with specially designed lights to keep the lions away.

Read more about how Philipo is saving lions with lights.

Saving Lions from being Hunted for Trophies

Take your photo with a cute lion cub. Give it a nice cuddle and post that selfie online. “Bang” explodes the rifle and the unsuspecting lions screams in pain. From petting to dying thousands of lions are exploited for profit in the cub petting and canned hunting industry. Fortunately there are people like controversial Kevin Richardson. He speaks out internationally against this despicable practice as well as provide a sanctuary for lions rescued from this exploitation.

Read about the two cubs rescued from Spain.

Saving Captive Lions

You ever wonder what happens to the animals in zoos in war torn countries? I didn’t. An organization called Vier Pfoten out of Austria (translated Four Paws) frequently steps in and fights the red tape and political system to rescue lions from such hell holes. LionsRock in South Africa is one of many sanctuaries that takes these refugee lions in to give them a better life. Sadly, they’ll never live in the wild, but live without pain and suffering in large save enclosures they will.

What You Can Do to Save African Lions

By now you’re probably feeling horrified and wondering what in the world you can do. Well, there’s plenty.

One, share this article.

Two, commit never to pet a lion cub.

Three, promise never to buy anything made out of lion body parts (or of any other wild animals for that matter.)

Four, speak out in your area and social networks about what canned trophy hunting really is and how it impacts the survival of Africa’s lions.

Five, make a donation. 100% of your gift goes to help save African lions.

Six, you’ll probably come up with something else that you can do, like visit Africa and come and see the real-life lions. You’ll be filled with awe at their magnificence.

Helping is easy…

100% of your wildlife donation today goes to help save lions.

Nikela is a fundraising non profit on a mission to help people protecting nature and involved in wildlife conservation.