Today, we celebrate World Lion Day, an important time to honor one of the planet’s most emblematic species. For Born Free, lions hold an especially important place in our hearts, as the organization got its name and its start from the iconic 1966 film, Born Free, which told the story of Elsa the lioness.
Once widespread across Africa, lion populations are now under serious threat. The total population of lions across Africa has fallen from 100,000 in the 1960s when Born Free was made, to only 20,000 today.
Born Free is leading the charge to save lions in West Africa. In fact, we are the first and only organization actively partnering with all 15 nations in the region to end wildlife crime.
Lions Are under Threat in West Africa
West African lions are classified by IUCN as Critically Endangered, which means they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Surveys indicate that West African lions have lost 99% of their historical range.
Comprising just over 400 individuals (less than 250 of whom are adults), around 90% of these West African lions are found in a single population – in the W-Arly-Pendjari complex, which spans Burkina Faso, Benin, and Niger.
Working with Partners in West Africa to Protect Lions
Along with habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal trafficking of lion body parts and poaching of lion prey species are taking a massive toll on lions.
Born Free USA partners with wildlife authorities (customs agents, police units, judges, and more) in Burkina Faso, Benin, and Niger to provide specialized training that ensures they have the skills and tools needed to fight wildlife crime and protect lion populations from illegal trafficking.
Developing National Wildlife Crime Strategies in West Africa
In addition to providing training to officials on the front lines of the fight against wildlife trafficking, Born Free USA also works with governments in West Africa to develop National Wildlife Crime Strategies.
Our work includes gathering information from stakeholders, assessing each country’s specific situation, and developing response mechanisms to combat wildlife crime.
A Step Forward in Niger
In July, Niger officially adopted its National Wildlife Crime Strategy! The Strategy calls for the establishment of a Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency unit comprising enforcement officers from a range of institutions, which will be responsible for ensuring that wildlife crime cases are investigated and prosecuted.
Born Free USA will also conduct in-depth training workshops for Niger’s Task Force on issues relating to intelligence gathering and analysis, investigation techniques, and countering organized crime.
The adoption of the National Wildlife Crime Strategy in Niger, and the formation of the Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force, will have a massive impact on all species in the country threatened by wildlife crime, including imperiled lions. Although Niger’s recent political instability will impact our timeline for trainings, Born Free is committed to continuing this critical work for the long term.
Born Free USA is proud to be able to contribute to building a safer world for lions and other wild species!
You can help support this work and protect lions in the wild by symbolically adopting Elsa the lioness.
For the Animals,
Alice
