Re-introduction of the African lion from a captive origin: Zambia & Zimbabwe

The African lion (Panthera leo) is found in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa, although numbers have declined in recent times. Lion numbers in Africa were estimated at 200,000 in 1975 (Myers, 1975). Estimates published at the end of 2012 by a team at the Nicholas School of the Environment suggested that between 32,000 and 35,000 lions remain in Africa and that there is “abundant evidence of widespread decline and local extinctions” even in protected areas (Riggio, 2013). The African Lion is currently listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List based on “A species population reduction of approximately 30% is suspected over the past two decades (= approximately three lion generations). The causes of this reduction (primarily indiscriminate killing in defense of life and livestock, coupled with prey base depletion: Bauer 2008), are unlikely to have ceased.” (Bauer, Nowell & Packer, 2012). Loss of habitat due to human population growth is also a significant cause of population loss.