How endangered are lions?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the lion as "vulnerable" on its Red List of Threatened Species. This means that the lion is at risk of extinction in the wild.

The lion population has declined significantly in recent decades. In 1993, there were an estimated 100,000 lions in Africa. By 2015, this number had declined to 20,000. The main causes of this decline are habitat loss, hunting, and conflict with humans.

Habitat loss is the biggest threat to lions. Lions need large areas of land to roam and hunt, but these areas are being converted to agriculture and other human uses. Hunting is also a major threat to lions. Lions are often killed for their fur, their teeth, and their claws. Conflict with humans is another threat to lions. Lions sometimes kill livestock, and this can lead to conflict with farmers.

The decline in the lion population is a serious concern. Lions are apex predators, and they play an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. If lions disappear, this could have a ripple effect on the entire African ecosystem.

There are a number of things that can be done to help save lions. One is to protect their habitat. This means creating protected areas for lions and working to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Another is to enforce laws against hunting lions. Finally, it is important to educate people about the importance of lions and to raise awareness of the threats they face.