Endangered West African Lion Cub Seen in Senegal, Population Now 375

A West African lion cub was recently seen in Senegal attempting to feed on wildlife, bringing the total number of endangered species to 375.

Playful Savannah Kings

Even savannah kings in the making enjoy playing at the age of three months.

A video of three cubs in Senegal, which would have been unthinkable a few years ago, has raised hopes for the resurgence of the treasured West African lion, whose population has been steadily decimated.

In southeast Senegal, the Niokolo-Koba National Park was home to a lioness and three cubs that were discovered in February by a remote camera, according to the US-based conservation organization for wild cats, Panthera.

The video captures the big cat devouring an animal carcass as her 3-month-old cub attempts to imitate her, in what Panthera describes as an exciting indication of recovery for the highly endangered West African lion.

They display their teeth and claws while practicing on pieces of wood or the hindquarters of their mother.

According to Panthera, this documentation of newly discovered lions shows how miraculously well a population that was on the verge of extinction has recovered.

Since 2011, Panthera has collaborated on conservation initiatives in the Niokolo-Koba park with Senegal's Department of National Parks.

West African Lion

The West African lion differs genetically from the Asian or Arnicafn subspecies by having a short mane and a bald appearance.

Panthera estimates that they are only between 120 and 375.

West African lions, which are revered to the extent that they are mentioned in the Senegalese national anthem, have been decimated by relentless poaching and the gradual decrease of their habitat.

According to Panthera, who cited the International Union for Conservation of Nature, their historic range has decreased by 99%.

Florence, the lioness who was photographed and is estimated to be nine or ten years old, has helped the population rebound.

Dr. Philipp Henschel regional director for the organization said that Florence will probably be remembered above all others as the crucial force behind the West African lion recovery in one of these species' last strongholds when the origin story of Niokolo Koba's recovery is written. At this point, the story of Niokolo Koba's recovery will have reached a turning point.

Cubs and Recovery

Her three litters since 2021 are thought to be the two male cubs and one female cub seen with her in the photo.

According to Panthera, a lioness was observed last year with her face injured with porcupine quills, preventing her from feeding. According to the organization, scientists and a veterinarian tranquilized the big cat and removed the quills, giving the young female a second chance at life, CBS News reports.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species indicates that the number of lions in Africa is steadily declining. A 2015 study cautioned that lion populations in West, Central, and East Africa could decline by as much as half by 2035. This study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).