African Lion (Getty Images)

The African lion (Panthera Leo), a species that has shown remarkable resilience, has been listed as a threatened species in the Federal Register since 2014 due to poaching, a decline in prey species, and habitat loss and fragmentation(Federal Register, 2015). Most African lion populations, despite these challenges, live in GPAs (government protection areas), which serve as crucial sanctuaries protecting species from poaching and human interactions(Schutte et al., 2013). However, the encroachment of human development has led to a significant reduction in the land African lions freely roamed, nearly 8% in the last century (Sargent et al., 2021). This encroachment has also increased human and lion interactions, often resulting in human or lion injury or fatality. Lions have adapted to this changing landscape by venturing closer to human populations, drawn by the proximity of communities to GPAs and the abundance of prey in the form of livestock(Gebresenbet et al., 2018).

Interactions between Lions and humans are usually negative and have influenced a behavioral shift for both parties. Lions have been shown to become more tolerant and comfortable living near urban communities(Schutte et al., 2013). Studies have shown that some wild lions release nearly the same amount of glucocorticoids as lions that live in zoos when confronted by humans(Sargent et al., 2021). This change in the fight or flight response of human interaction could mean trouble for future lion generations, as the typical way of dealing with a socialized lion is by shooting the animal (Federal Register, 2015). A behavioral shift in humans is observed in studies taken from communities that live near lions, asking members their opinions about lions. 63% of respondents say they would not increase lion populations and instead push Lions’ native habitat farther away from human civilization(Schutte et al., 2013). This solution to Lion interactions in communities could drive lions into endangered territory as land would be even more downsized. Local governments and protection agencies have begun tackling this growing issue by urging community residents not to interact with Lions or native species and instead avoid all possible interactions (Gebresenbet et al., 2018). Protecting livestock to minimize predation amongst lions is also incentivized to reduce the urge for Lions to hunt in human-populated areas (Gebresenbet et al., 2018). Much is to be done to protect the sanctity of African lions and further population density loss, which lies in the hands of community members, individuals in legislative power, and law enforcement (Sargent et al., 2021).

References:

Branch of Foreign Species. (2015). Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Two Lion Subspecies. Federal Register . https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/12/23/2015-31958/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-listing-two-lion-subspecies#:~:text=On%20October%2029%2C%202014%20(79,threatened%20species%20under%20the%20Act.

Schuette, P., Creel, S., & Christianson, D. (2013). Coexistence of African Lions, livestock, and people in a landscape with variable human land use and seasonal movements. Biological Conservation, 157, 148–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2012.09.011

Sargent, R., Deere, N. J., McGowan, P. J. K., Bunnefeld, N., & Pfeifer, M. (2021). Room to roam for african lions panthera leo: A review of the key drivers of Lion Habitat use and implications for conservation. Mammal Review, 52(1), 39–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12262

Gebresenbet, F., Bauer, H., Vadjunec, J. M., & Papeş, M. (2018). Beyond the numbers: Human attitudes and conflict with lions (Panthera leo) in and around Gambella National Park, Ethiopia. PLOS ONE, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204320