Threat? The King is About to be Dethroned.....
The Panthera leo is last prominent species of lions throughout the world. For centuries after their inception, African lions have been an important symbol of bravery and leadership. They have changed the world through their encounters with the human race and with other animals in the ecological food web. As a top predator, lions have been known as “rulers of the animal kingdom.” Popularized as vicious beasts by the Maasai Warrior Tribe in Kenya, who kill lions as a form of age accomplishment and initiation (5), and as playful animals in movies like The Lion King, these amazing cats have had impacts on many lives. Whether lions have been portrayed as savage predators or noble creatures, they are an important link to the history of biology and culture as we know it! Unfortunately, lions are now facing threats of climate change, hunting, and habitat loss, which could lead to the demise of the species.
The Panthera leo is last prominent species of lions throughout the world. For centuries after their inception, African lions have been an important symbol of bravery and leadership. They have changed the world through their encounters with the human race and with other animals in the ecological food web. As a top predator, lions have been known as “rulers of the animal kingdom.” Popularized as vicious beasts by the Maasai Warrior Tribe in Kenya, who kill lions as a form of age accomplishment and initiation (5), and as playful animals in movies like The Lion King, these amazing cats have had impacts on many lives. Whether lions have been portrayed as savage predators or noble creatures, they are an important link to the history of biology and culture as we know it! Unfortunately, lions are now facing threats of climate change, hunting, and habitat loss, which could lead to the demise of the species.
