Last week, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced the African lion might get listed as ‘Threatened’ under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. To read an in-depth article on the listing, visit this National Geographic news article.
We at Ewaso Lions believe the listing of lions as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act is warranted given the substantial evidence of the population decline, loss of habitat, and ongoing threats facing lions across the continent.
In northern Kenya, where Ewaso Lions operates, lions face increasing threats from direct persecution from humans. Lions have been killed as a result of negative encounters between lions and pastoralists, primarily over livestock. Without additional conservation measures, the future of Kenya’s lions is uncertain.
It is our hope that listing lions as Threatened will increase the resources needed to bolster conservation efforts across Africa, put stronger regulations in place for sport hunting and lion bone trade, safeguard lion habitat and prey, and raise global awareness about the threats facing lions.
Starting October 29, the public will have 90 days to comment on the proposed listing, with details on how to do so on the FWS website. We welcome having an open dialogue on this complex issue during the comment period.
Please join Ewaso Lions in supporting the listing.
The USA proposes listing lions as Threatened, which would bring increased protections for lions.