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Since the 1960’s lion populations have declined from an estimated 200,000 then to about 25,000 now. There are a variety of reasons for this decline, including loss of habitat as human and livestock populations expand, predator conflict issues, and diseases. We have to accept here will never be   200,000 lions in Africa again, but one factor that has contributed greatly to the decline – sport hunting, can be immediately removed. Do not underestimate the impact this has had on lion populations – from 2004 to 2009, about 3,900 wild lions were legally exported as trophies, most of them adult males.  Another threat looms - with the advent of the use of lion bones in Chinese traditional medicine, about 600 kg of lion bones were legally exported from South Africa to Laos in 2009/2010. Since 1kg of lion bones has risen in value from $8 in 2008 to $300 in 2010, increased poaching can be expected.

So lions by 2030 might only be seen as statues in Trafalgar Square … and in the stars.

With our grateful thanks to BeCK for his magnificent cartoon.