Lion  (Panthera leo)

Historically lions have been killed for sport (6) and they are generally considered serious problem animals whose existence is in conflict with human settlement and cattle farming (4). The increasing spread of farmlands has reduced the lion's habitat and wild prey base, resulting in increased stock-raiding behaviour (1). This makes lions particularly vulnerable to poisoned carcasses that are put out to eliminate predators. Lions are often seen as vermin and shot on sight, even in protected areas. Publicity of lions as human killers only adds to their unfavourable reputation. Asiatic lions are far more threatened than African lions, and their small gene pool, and therefore genetic instability, puts them at greater risk of epidemics of diseases such as tuberculosis, FIV, and canine distemper virus (6). A population of just 359 individuals is desperately low, but this figure nevertheless represents an increase on a the figures a century ago when rough estimates of the population ranged between 12 and 100 remaining, as a result of intensive hunting (8).

In most countries hunting of lions is either prohibited or regulated so that only dangerous animals can be killed, although trophy hunting does remain permissible in a few countries in Africa (6). The Asiatic lion (P. l. persica) is fully protected in India, but another separate population is desperately needed in order to prevent the subspecies being wiped out completely in the wild by an epidemic or other disaster affecting a single population (7) (8). The Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Madhya Pradesh has been identified as a potential reintroduction site in India. In both Africa and Asia, the understanding and cooperation of the community is crucial in ensuring the future of this big cat. Fortunately, the lion is a powerful cultural icon for Africa and one of the highest valued eco-tourism species on the continent, which is now being promoted as an incentive to do everything possible to protect this magnificent ‘King of Beasts' (7).