Wild Africa Fund Calls For Protection Of Lions
Wild Africa Fund has called for the protection of Lions by reducing illegal bushmeat consumption and supporting better protection of their shrinking habitat.
The organization also calls for championing anti-poaching measures.
Mr Kelechukwu Iruoma, Wild Africa Fund Nigeria Representative, made the call in a statement on Thursday in Lagos to mark World Lion Day.
Iruoma said that 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.”
According to him, West African lions face extinction, losing 99 per cent of their historic range.
He said that beyond habitat loss, lions have suffered a decline in prey species such as antelope due to bush meat trade and were frequently killed in retaliation for preying on livestock.
He added that the snares and traps set for bush meat often injured and killed lions.
He said that in Nigeria, the fewer than 50 lions left in the wild were found in Kainji Lake National Park and the Yankari Games Reserve, both in Northern Nigeria.
Iruoma said that several researchers tried to find lions in the wild in Ghana without success.
He noted 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,” Nigeria Representative for Wild Africa Fund, Festus Iyorah said
NAN/Shakirat Sadiq
