African Lion Populations Are Dwindling

​www.dailysabah.com/life/environment/wild-african-lion-populations-dwindle-as-activists-raise-red-flag

Activists are sounding the alarm on African Lions, as their populations have dwindled rapidly in recent years. In the past 25 years, we've seen a significant reduction in the amount of wild lions and it can be wholly attributed to the actions (or lack thereof) of humans. The report claims that if drastic measures to protect lions are not immediately put in place, African lions will undoubtedly continue to plunge towards extinction until they are gone forever.

What's Killing Lions?

HABITAT LOSS - As human populations continue to grow, more land is needed to accommodate and that land is being taken away from wild lions.
ILLEGAL POACHING - The illegal wildlife trade is decimating lions. Their body parts are used for trinkets, charms, and other novelty items.
HUMAN CONFLICT - As lions lose more land, they inevitably end up coming into contact with humans more often which leads to lions being shot and killed to protect humans / livestock.

What urgent action are we talking about when it comes to saving lions from extinction? First of all, the illegal wildlife trade needs to be more aggressively tackled with harsher punishments issued to those who participate in the illegal slaughter of lions. Secondly, local communities need to be given the tools to live amongst lions, tools that will help them prevent conflicts that result in the death of endangered lions. If livestock is drawing lions in, how do we keep them out without resorting to slaughtering them? Larger perimeter blockades to protect livestock perhaps? Regardless, investigating options and funneling resources into these communities so that they can protect themselves and their animals without having to kill lions.

Also, I think we need to really look at trophy hunting and the message it is sending about the importance of wild lions. First of all, if a country is telling us that lions are endangered and in trouble while simultaneously selling the opportunity to slaughter them for the right price, I believe this sends the wrong message about the importance of lions. Secondly, we've heard for ages that the money from trophy hunting is funneled into local communities / conservation but the fact is, lions are disappearing. This money should be helping to protect local communities and aid in their coexistence with lions. This money should be helping to protect lions through aggressive anti-poaching tactics. Unfortunately, despite many years of claiming this to be true, lions continue to plunge towards extinction.

Humanity is hypocritical to the highest degree. We sound the alarm on the possibility of lion extinction while selling opportunities to shoot & kill them for money. We continue on about protecting more of their habitat but continue to grow at rapid rates and take more of their habitat away from them. We issue them protected land but do very little about those who lure lions off of protected lands to shoot and kill them for sport. We need an upgrade on how we're approaching a situation of this severity because when it comes to extinction, there is no going back.
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• BAN TROPHY HUNTING
• FUNNEL MORE RESOURCES INTO ANTI-POACHING
• LIST MORE OF THE LION'S HABITAT AS PROTECTED
• HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN LIVING WITH LIONS

Lions don't have time for us to make empty promises and take lackluster action. Extinction is inevitable if we don't act aggressively to tackle the many perils that lions face.

HAPPY VEG