Lion
Panthera leo
African lions are extinct in North Africa and much of South Africa where they survive in the Kruger and Kalahari National Parks. They survive in an estimated number of about 30,000 in areas south of the Sahara. The main threats are killings by humans either for defence of villages and domestic livestock, or for trophy and use of the parts in traditional Asian medicine. The trend of lion populations in Africa is declining.
Classificazione IUCN
IUCN RED LIST
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classifies living species according to criteria that take into account their level of threat of extinction: the Red List is an indispensable tool for coordinating nature conservation actions, a veritable barometer of the health of our Planet.
EEP Project
This species is included in EAZA’s (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) EEP programme for breeding endangered species.
Vive in: Africa a sud del Sahara
How does it live?
Where does it live?
African lions live in vast grasslands and savanna areas rich in prey. They are also found in wooded and semi-desert regions, and there is a population of lions in the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia, at an altitude of 4,240 m.
Cosa mangia
It is mainly the females that hunt, as the absence of a mane makes them less visible and allows them to get closer to their prey. It is a group hunt, and they can bring down very large prey, including zebras, gazelles, impalas, buffaloes, and giraffes.
Who eats it?
how long does it live?
The average lifespan of a male in the wild is 9–10 years, while females can live up to 15 years. In zoos, the average lifespan is 18–20 years.
How many offspring?
Fun Fact
The lion is a real sleepyhead: it rests for about 20 hours a day and only wakes up at dusk to hunt. Sioux and Sarabi, the lions at the GZP, also spend most of the day sleeping.
Gli animali che vivono nella stessa area geografica
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