Born Free USA and Born Free Foundation Urge Greater Protection for Africa’s Lions Following Scientific Confirmation of Catastrophic Population Declines

Washington, D.C. — Following the release yesterday of a lion assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation are urging immediate international action to halt catastrophic recent declines in lion populations across Africa.[teaserbreak]

In its most up-to-date assessment of the species, IUCN, the world’s oldest and largest global environmental scientific organization, has reported devastating reductions in lion populations across much of the African continent. The new assessment has revealed that:

• The number of lions across Africa has reduced by approximately 42% over the past 21 years (approximately three lion generations, 1993-2014);
• Excluding Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, lions across the rest of Africa have declined by an average of 60%;
• In West Africa, the declines suggest lions should be classified as critically endangered;
• Lions have disappeared altogether from at least 12, possibly up to 16, African countries in recent years.

According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, “The IUCN reassessment confirms what we have known for some time: that lions are in serious decline across much of Africa. The data suggest that international trade in lion parts and products is putting pressure on these vulnerable lion populations, which they clearly cannot sustain. Born Free calls on the international community to increase the protection for lions from the impacts of trade by increasing protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to issue its long-overdue final rule on listing the lion as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.”

Trade in lions and lion parts has been increasing. According to the official CITES trade database, from 2009 to 2013, the total number of lions and lion parts exported doubled compared to the previous five year period. The figures reveal particularly worrying increases in the trade in lion bones and skeletons—presumably to supply the demand for Asian traditional medicines and tonics—as well as skins and trophies from captive bred animals. (See table below, or click here to download as PDF.)

“These iconic animals cannot wait,” added Roberts. “Lions used to roam all over Africa, western Asia, and even southern Europe. Now, we risk seeing them disappear from much of their remaining sub-Saharan African range. We cannot sit by and watch this species disappear under our watch.”

Born Free is working with the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and African lion experts to improve collaboration between African range States on lion conservation, identify the reasons for the reported declines, and help range States to reverse them.

Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.

Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com