“Now that this massive survey effort has been concluded, we finally know where lions remain and where we need to invest our efforts to save them. This was a vital first step, but the real work of saving them is only just beginning. Even the protected areas that retain lions are understaffed and underequipped. We intend to assist lion range countries in improving management effectiveness of the areas containing lions by helping them to increase the numbers, expertise, and operating budgets of enforcement personnel in protected areas with lions.” — Philipp Henschel, Lion Program Survey Coordinator, Panthera.

A survey studying the population of West African lions in protected areas of Africa delivers some shocking news: the population of West African lions is only about 400 animals. The findings of the six year survey were published in the open-access paper, “The Lion in West Africa Is Critically Endangered.”

As…