Although there are an estimated 20,000 lions in the African wilderness today, the West African lion (or Panthera leo senegalensis) numbers far, far fewer. Only 250 still remain across the entire continent, making the subspecies one of the most threatened of its kind in the world. It currently falls under the ‘critically endangered’ conservation status.
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Panthera leo
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west-african-lion
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Animal Facts
The roar of an adult male can be heard from 8km away.
Lions are the most social of the big cats.
Lions can reach speeds of up to 50 mph when running.
Female lions do 90% of the hunting.
Male lions spend their time defending their territory and females from rival males.