Wild Africa Fund has called for the protection of lions by reducing illegal bushmeat consumption and supporting better protection of their shrinking habitat.

The organisation also called for championing anti-poaching measures.

Wild Africa Fund Nigeria made the call in a statement on Thursday in Lagos to mark World Lion Day.

The organisation said only about 120 to 374 lions remained in West Africa currently, compared to Southern Africa, “where these majestic cats are generally well protected, maintaining stable populations.”

It noted that West African lions face extinction, losing 99 per cent of their historic range, stressing that beyond habitat loss, lions have suffered a decline in prey species such as antelope due to bushmeat trade and were frequently killed in retaliation for preying on livestock.

The organisation added that the snares and traps set for bush meat often injured and killed lions, and in Nigeria, the fewer than 50 lions left in the wild were found in Kainji Lake National Park and the Yankari Games Reserve.

It said several researchers tried to find lions in the wild in Ghana without success, stating that lions had disappeared completely in several West African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Mali, and Sierra Leone.

“West African lions might disappear forever if we don’t urgently address the threats they face. If we can protect their habitats more effectively, they could bounce back and boost our tourism,” said Festus Iyorah, Nigeria representative for Wild Africa Fund.

According to the statement, Wild Africa Fund believed it was possible to halt the decline of lions and restore their numbers, following the lead of countries that have brought lion populations back from the brink of extinction.

“Lions are perhaps the most iconic African animal and have massive cultural significance. Their disappearance in West Africa would be tragic and squander an opportunity to foster wildlife tourism that has provided millions of jobs in East and Southern Africa,” Peter Knights, cofounder and CEO of Wild Africa Fund, said in the statement.

(NAN)