WWF holiday adoption gift guide: Introducing the Lion and Lioness

This holiday season, WWF is introducing six new species for you to adopt and take home, including the Lioness and Lion.  Let’s meet the King and Queen of the jungle!

Lion and Lioness
Lion and lioness, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa.© Peter Chadwick / WWF-Canon

Lions are a symbol of strength and power. Lions and lionesses are the only cats that live in large social groups. ‘Prides’ typically consist of about four to six lions. Their roar can be heard from as far as eight kilometres away!
Lion and Lioness
Female lion (Panthera leo) in tree, Tanzania. © Steve Morello / WWF-Canon

NAME
Panthera Leo.
HABITAT
Lions and lionesses inhabit the plains and savannahs throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa.
DIET
Lions and lionesses are carnivores and feed mainly on wildebeest, antelopes, and zebras. They also take and scavenge other mammal species from hyenas.
Lion and Lioness
African lion (Panthera leo); Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. © Fritz Pölking / WWF

WHY ARE THEY AT RISK?
While the lion and lioness once roamed throughout Africa, Asia and Europe, the species now exists only in Africa and the Sasan-Gir National Park in India.  The African lion is currently listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

  • Human conflict is now one of the biggest threats to lions. With an increasing human population, more land is required for agriculture. Lions living outside protected areas are more likely to prey on livestock, as human encroachment has resulted in less of their natural prey. As a result, human conflicts is escalating as local farmers defend their herds.
  • Habitat loss as a result of increasing human population and the clearing of land to make way for agriculture. This destroys and fragments lion habitat and reduces the availability and population of their natural prey. As lion populations become smaller and more isolated, their risk to various threats increases.

African lioness, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya © naturepl.com / Anup Shah / WWF-Canon
African lioness, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya © naturepl.com / Anup Shah / WWF-Canon

WHAT IS WWF DOING?

  • Securing spaces for them by establishing and improving protected areas to support lions in key places throughout Africa.
  • Monitoring lions in the Maasai Mara, home to one of the highest densities of lions in the world. WWF is helping pilot ways to use water more efficiently and improve the management of the region’s forests and reduce deforestation.
  • Balancing human-lion needs and developing models to reduce conflict between humans and lions. We help find ways to balance the needs of people and animals so both can thrive.

With your symbolic adoption, you’re helping WWF fight to secure the long-term survival of the lion and lioness. What’s more, you’re also helping to save other species at risk around the world and to provide a healthier natural world for us all.
Each adoption kit includes a high quality wildlife plush, personalized adoption certificate, a stunning species poster, a reusable tote bag and an applicable tax receipt.

WWF-Canada
©WWF-Canada

Visit our e-store shop.wwf.ca for all your holiday gift options from WWF and give a meaningful gift that keeps on giving!