News

As we continue to remind the world that it's now 10 YEARS since Cecil was killed and yet we STILL allow hunting trophies into the UK, we were once again in the UK Parliament yesterday ( our second event there in less than a week) to show what trophy hunting looks like and how it continues to decimate wildlife. Eduardo Goncalves of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting showed a film he has compiled, depicting the stark realities of killing animals as trophies, featuring many UK hunters revelling in their "sport ".

We then had a Q & A session for the assembled group, including several MPs who had come to the event in support of the work we are doing to bring an end to this barbaric practice. 

We were delighted to welcome Bob Blackman as one of the MPs who spoke in support of a ban on the importation of hunting trophies. Thank you Bob. Your words were very much appreciated.

Last week, we published our 2025 Synthesis of Lion Numbers in Africa and Range States' Capabilities to Conserve their Lion Populations.

 The figures presented revealed an estimated total of 13,014 lions in eastern and southern Africa. Furthermore, they reported a critically low figure of 342 lions in western and central Africa, where resident lion populations are highly genetically distinct.

This presentation underscored the alarming decline in lion populations and the urgent need for robust conservation measures, directly linking the issue to the impact of trophy hunting.

Here are the key points from the 2025 LionAid Report:

• The LionAid 2025 comprehensive compilation of wild lion populations remaining in Africa estimates a total of 13,014 lions in eastern and southern Africa and 342 in western and central Africa where resident lions are highly genetically distinct. 
• There are currently only five individual lion populations in Africa where over 1,000 lions are estimated to occur: Okavango/Chobe/Hwange in Botswana/Zimbabwe, Serengeti/Mara in Kenya/Tanzania, Selous/Nyerere in Tanzania, Rungwa/Ruaha in Tanzania and Kruger in South Africa.
• Of the 48 African continental nations :
• Wild lions are extinct in 26 countries – 54% of the total
• Wild lions exist only in small, scattered populations, if at all, and are considered highly vulnerable in 12 countries – 25% of the total
• Wild lions still exist in 10 countries – 21% of the total.

 Our fight to protect lions is far from over. Your continued donations are the lifeblood of our mission, directly funding the critical work needed to secure a future for these magnificent creatures. Please help us if you can with a donation. Click here to DONATE. Thank you.