Vulnerable

African Lion

Panthera leo

Vulnerable

IUCN Red List status · Population decreasing as of 2023 · Est. 23,000 individuals

About the African Lion

The king of the savannah, African lions are the only truly social wild cats. They live in prides and are apex predators critical to maintaining healthy ecosystems. Their populations have declined by 43% in the last two decades.

Region

East Africa

Population

23,000

Trend

Decreasing

Data Year

2023

Key Facts

Weight150–250 kg

Lifespan10–14 years

Roar range8 km

Pride sizeUp to 30 lions

Habitat Types

SavannahGrasslandOpen Woodland

Found In

KenyaTanzaniaSouth AfricaBotswanaZimbabwe

Why Africa's Wildlife Matters

Africa's megafauna are not just iconic — they are ecosystem engineers. The loss of a single keystone species can trigger cascading collapses across entire biomes. Elephants create waterholes, lions regulate prey, and predators maintain the biodiversity that keeps Africa's grasslands and forests functioning.

20%

of Earth's bird species in Africa

25%

of mammals found in Africa

3,000+

endemic plant species at risk

Help spread the word about the African Lion