AFRICAN LION

Journal of Zoology, 2004

The evolutionary history of the lion Panthera leo began in Pliocene east Africa, as open habitats expanded towards the end of the Cenozoic. During the middle-late Pleistocene, lions spread to most parts of Eurasia, North America, and may have eventually reached as far south as Peru. Lions probably evolved group-living behaviour before they expanded out of Africa, and this trait is likely to have prevailed in subsequent populations. The first lions were presumed to have been maneless, and maneless forms seem to have persisted in Europe, and possibly the New World, until around 10 000 years ago. The maned form may have appeared c. 320 000-190 000 years ago, and may have had a selective advantage that enabled it to expand to replace the range of earlier maneless forms throughout Africa and western Eurasia by historic times: 'latest wave hypothesis'.

Mammalian Biology, 2003

Journal of Animal Diversity

There is an increased recognition of the threat status of the African lion (Panthera leo), once a widespread top predator of open African habitats. However, our knowledge about the biology of the species is often based on a few study sites in South and East Africa, and the present subspecific taxonomy developed by the IUCN reinforces an idea of homogeneity of the species in Africa. A synthesis of available knowledge regarding the lions of Southern Somalia, formerly proposed as a distinct subspecies, Panthera leo somaliensis is presented. Particular attention is paid to the issue of manelessness in males, a phenomenon that has been studied in Tsavo (N.E. Kenya) but it is highlighted for the first time for the Southern Somalia region. Although our data cannot lead to a definitive answer about the taxonomic status of Somali lions, there is enough evidence to call for further studies and conservation efforts, also in the light of the increased evidence of genetic discontinuity in lions associated with strong ecological barriers.

Comptes Rendus Biologies, 2003

The lion has historically probably been widespread at low densities in West and Central Africa, nowadays they are largely restricted to small isolated populations inside protected areas. The total number is probably between 1200 and 2700, the best possible guesstimate would be 1700. Mankind is the main cause for the suspected decline of lion populations, both inside and outside protected areas. Very little research has been done on West and Central African lions a few examples are summarized here. The international community is slowly becoming aware of threats to lions in the region and some initiatives for lion conservation have started.

Mammal Review, 2011

The North African-Asian lion subgroup, which is composed of two subspecies, the Barbary lion, Panthera leo leo, and the Asian lion, P. l. persica, was nearly exterminated during the last centuries. The remaining free-ranging population of Asian lions consists of c. 350 animals in India. The Barbary lion subsists as captive animals in zoos or circuses, all of which originate from the Moroccan Royal Collection. There have been multiple genetic hybridizations with sub-Saharan lions. 2. Several incomplete distribution maps of the past occupation of lions were proposed in the literature. I examine the distribution of these lions with the help of a larger database, extracted from zoological, archaeological and historical reports. Some records are however not completely reliable. Data were collected over a long period of time (from the Epipaleolithic to the modern times) in Eurasia, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. 3. Dispersal took place in latitudes as far south as 15°N (Yemen) to 18°N (Mali; Chad) and as far north as 45-48°N (Bulgaria); and to longitudes as far west as 5.57°W (Morocco) and as far east as 84°E (India). Expansion was probably constrained by natural ecological factors northwards (higher seasonality, harsher winters) and southwards (extension of aridity after 3000 BP). At latitudes between 40 and 43°N, lions seem to have become a permanent part of the fauna during 6-8 millennia. 4. Lions were brought to extinction by humans through hunting, captures for exhibition in zoos and by the associated natural fragmentation of wild populations. The dates at which extinction took place varied greatly according to the geographical sites: 3000 BC for temperate Europe;

J. ROUX, S. VAN DER MERWE, E. MALAN, M.W. VAN ROOYEN & M.J. WINGFIELD. South African native trees increasingly threatened by diseases. South African Journal of Botany, Volume 76, Issue 2, April 2010, Pages 402–403.

The number of free ranging African lions lations are small and fragmented in West and Central Africa, whereas the species still occurs widely in East Panthera leo has never been comprehensively assessed. We present an inventory of available information, cover-and Southern Africa. The results concur with the current IUCN Red List categorization of the lion as Vulnerable. ing most protected areas and ranging in quality from educated guesses to individually known populations. This gives a conservative estimate of 16,500-30,000 free of these methods. Spoor counts are included in this category, but the methodology has to be further developed

2015

Breeding history,reproductive characteristics and body morphometry of 18 captive born lions (9 females and 9 males) were studied at Addis Ababa Lion Zoo. A seven years breeding record (between 2002 to 2008) showed sixty-seven births. The average litter size and parturition interval were 2.2 and 240 days, respectively. Estrus and mating behavior of the lioness consisted rubbing and nudging, frequent rolling and positioning. The mean (±SE) length of estrous cycle and estrus were 8.9±1.7 days and 5.4±0.8days, respectively. Typical mating behaviors in the males were licking, rubbing, biting and snaring. The Mean (±SE) duration of copulation, refractoriness and frequency of copulation were 14.3±1.1 sec, 24±3.3 min and 18 ±2.0/days, respectively. The mean (±SE) body weight, height at wither and snout-body length for the male were 137.2±2.9kg, 89.7±1.5cm and 140.6±5.8cm, respectively. In conclusion, lions of Addis Ababa Lion zoo are relatively smaller in size with similar reproductive char...

Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Sciences

P RESENT study was conducted in order to estimate the breeding potential and mortality of African lion (Panthera leo leo, Linnaeus 1758) in captivity. Recorded data by the experts of zoo management for the period 2003 to 2011 and by research worker for the period 2012 through 2015 was included in the study. During study period, a total of 29 cubs were produced including 12 males and 17 females. During this period, 12 animals died including 7 males and 5 females. Among these, 2 were adults and 10 were young ones. The number of breeding animals (pairs) varied during this period. Estrus cycle in lioness ranged from 4-7 days and gestation period lasted for 110 days. Old age with related ailments was the cause of death in adults. Premature and underweight births, avoidance of females to adapt offspring, infanticide, and bacterial infections were the causes of infant mortality. As the observations during study period showed a good breeding outcome of African lion in the form of 29 cubs with a maxima of 6 cubs per annum and the mortality rate is less than that, therefore, it is rational to conclude that big cats like Panthera leo leo can breed successfully in captivity. It is concluded from this study that African lion in captivity has optimal breeding potential and the conservation status of this highly threatened species could be improved.

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 2019

Over the past 50 years, lion research has covered a wide range of interdisciplinary topics involving extensive collaborations with scientists from over a dozen different fields. These collaborations have not only led to greater scientific understanding of disease dynamics, impacts of sport hunting on lion populations, and the interactions of lions and their prey, but also resulted in a large-scale disease-control program in rural Tanzania, new hunting policies in several African countries, widespread adoption of camera-traps as a conservation-management tool, new statistical and economic approaches to broadscale conservation approaches, and innovative local-level conservation interventions.

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2003

A study was conducted to describe the physical characteristics and the reproductive performances of the Addis Ababa Zoo lions. Length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, tail length and height at withers were 255 ± 15, 105 ± 11, and 110 ± 7 cm for adult males (n = 8), and 236 ± 11, 94 ± 10, and 98 ± 8 cm for adult females (n = 8), respectively. The lions had dark brown manes extending down the chest through the front legs, down the back below the shoulders and the length of the belly through the groin; the mane that surrounds the face was golden and the eyes have clear light irises. These characteristics fit the description of the Barbary and Cape lions. The reproductive performances of the females were as follows: age at first parturition was 4 ± 0.5 years; litter size was 1.6 ± 0.9; gestation period was 115 ± 5 days; parturition interval was 25 ± 15 months; and pregnancy rate was 30 ± 16%; the duration of estrus was 5 ± 1.5 days. For the male the age at which the mane was fully grown was 3.6 ± 0.7; frequency of copulation was 16.5 ± 7.5 per day; the duration of copulation lasted 12.2 ± 9 s; and the refractory period was 50 ± 25 min. Mean preweaning, weaning to one year and adult mortalities were 55, 51 and 27%, respectively. Mean life expectancy was 12.8 years for the female while for the male it was 8.5 years. The causes of adult mortality appear to be senility, enteritis and pneumonia, while cub mortality is primarily due to maternal rejection. There is also a 100% prevalence rate of Toxocara cati. Further study on the genetics, causes of mortality and reintroduction to natural habitat is recommended.