Questions and Answers
Only about 500 lions are left in ______.
India
Fewer than 20,000 lions are left in the wild in ______.
Africa
There are only 400 lions left in ______ Africa.
West
The United States might soon list the lions as ______.
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Six years ago, Henschel found one lion in a park in ______.
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Henschel searched all the parks in West Africa for ______.
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Henschel lives in a country called ______.
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West African lions have little or no ______.
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Scientists named the lion ______, and found out that he is almost 5 years old.
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Henschel's group is searching for two female ______ for Ali.
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A study shows a large drop in the number of ______ over the last 25 years.
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Humans are the reason that ______ are disappearing in Africa.
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Poachers hunt without ______.
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Henschel says shepherds sometimes poison dead ______ to kill the lions that eat them.
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Earlier this year in Zimbabwe, a famous lion named ______ was killed by an American hunter.
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Henschel hopes to use Cecil's death to raise ______ for African lions.
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Study Notes
Overview of Big Cat Decline
- Lions once inhabited Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America, but now they are primarily found in Africa and India.
- Only about 500 lions are left in India, according to officials.
Current Lion Population in Africa
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates fewer than 20,000 lions remaining in the wild in Africa.
- West Africa has only about 400 lions left, making them the most endangered lions globally.
- West African lions are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Important Findings and Discoveries
- Philpp Henschel discovered a lion in a Nigerian park after years of searching, marking an exciting find in a country with limited parks.
- In his search, Henschel has found only nine lions across 21 parks in West Africa.
- A lone lion named Ali was spotted in Gabon after 20 years without sightings; efforts are underway to locate female lions for him.
Regional Trends in Lion Populations
- Southern Africa is showing signs of stability, with an increasing lion population in four out of five countries.
- A significant decline in west and central Africa's lion population has occurred over the past 25 years, with projections of losing half the lions in 20 years.
- East Africa also faces threats, with potential declines for half of its lion population.
Threats to Lion Survival
- Human activities, such as agriculture and poaching, are primary drivers of lion population decline.
- Climate change impacts food availability and habitats for both prey animals and lions.
- Conflicts arise as cattle herders and farmers compete for land, leading to tensions and reduced space for lions.
- Lions are sometimes targeted with poison when they prey on livestock, leading to further population declines.
Notable Incidents
- The killing of the famous lion Cecil in Zimbabwe by an American hunter sparked global outrage and highlighted the threats facing lions.
- Henschel aims to leverage Cecil's death for fundraising efforts to support lion conservation initiatives.
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Description
This quiz explores the decline of lion populations globally, with a focus on their current status in Africa and India. You will learn about the alarming figures regarding their dwindling numbers and the efforts being made to locate and conserve these majestic creatures. Discover the critical findings and discoveries that shed light on the challenges facing lions today.
