West African lion
Encyclopedia
The West African lion is a subspecies of the lion
, native to western Africa. Recent genetic research indicates, that the Western and Central African lions form a different clade of lions and are perhaps more related to Asian lions than to lions from southern or eastern Africa. The genetic distinctiveness is particular of interest, since lions are regionally endangered in western Africa.
A recent study further confirmed the uniqueness of the Western African lion and showed, that lions from western and central Africa (including eastern Sahel) differ genetically from lions of southern or eastern Africa. According to this study, West African lions are even more closely related to Asian lions, than to South or East African lions. These findings might be explained by a late Pleistocene extinction event of lions in western and central Africa about 20.000 years ago and a subsequent recolonisation of these parts, coming from Asia.
In the Pendjari National Park
area, which is within the range of the West African lion, almost all males are maneless or have very weak manes.
in the west to the Central African Republic
in the east. Another subspecies (P.l. azandica) is traditionally described from northeastern DRK
.
Lions are rare in western Africa and may be critically endangered in this region. Western African lions are relatively rare in captivity as well. In 2006 there were just 13 animals, which are registered under the name P. l. senegalensis.
There are probably only 450-1,300 lions left in West Africa. In addition, there are about 550-1,550 in Central Africa. In both regions, the area inhabited by lions has been reduced to less than 15% of the historic range. The total population in this ecosystem comprises between 140 and 300 lions. Another large population of 100-400 lions is found in Bénoué ecosystem
in Cameroon
. Smaller populations exist in other reseves, like Niokolo-Koba National Park
in Senegal, Guinea-Mali Protected Area in Guinea, and Waza National Park
in Cameroon.
In Nigeria
, there are two small populations left, one in Kainji Lake National Park
, consisting of about 24 lions, and another one in Yankari Game Reserve, consisting of about 15. The population at Kainji Lake might be connected to that of the WAP-Complex. There are probably no lions left in the Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are about 60 lions in Virunga National Park
and about 100 in Garamba National Park
, respectively. However, these lions are outside the range, originally described for the West African lion.
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
, native to western Africa. Recent genetic research indicates, that the Western and Central African lions form a different clade of lions and are perhaps more related to Asian lions than to lions from southern or eastern Africa. The genetic distinctiveness is particular of interest, since lions are regionally endangered in western Africa.
Subspecies status
Mitochondrial variation in living African lions seemed to be modest according to some genomic studies and therefore all sub-Saharan lions sometimes have been considered a single subspecies. Another study came to the conclusion, that there are five major types. One North African–Asian, one West African, one eastern Sahel, one eastern–southern African and one southwestern African type. This finding supports the status of the Western African lion as a valid subspecies.A recent study further confirmed the uniqueness of the Western African lion and showed, that lions from western and central Africa (including eastern Sahel) differ genetically from lions of southern or eastern Africa. According to this study, West African lions are even more closely related to Asian lions, than to South or East African lions. These findings might be explained by a late Pleistocene extinction event of lions in western and central Africa about 20.000 years ago and a subsequent recolonisation of these parts, coming from Asia.
Description
Lions from western and central African are believed to be smaller than lions from southern Africa. It is also suggested, that they have smaller manes, live in smaller groups, and they may also differ in the shape of their skull.In the Pendjari National Park
Pendjari National Park
The Pendjari National Park lies in north western Benin, adjoining the Arli National Park in Burkina Faso. Named for the Pendjari River, the national park is known for its wildlife and his home to some of the last populations of big game like elephants, West African lions, hippopotamuses, buffalo...
area, which is within the range of the West African lion, almost all males are maneless or have very weak manes.
Distribution and population status
The West African lion is distributed in western Africa south of the Sahara from SenegalSenegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
in the west to the Central African Republic
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic , is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the north east, South Sudan in the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo in the south, and Cameroon in the west. The CAR covers a land area of about ,...
in the east. Another subspecies (P.l. azandica) is traditionally described from northeastern DRK
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
.
Lions are rare in western Africa and may be critically endangered in this region. Western African lions are relatively rare in captivity as well. In 2006 there were just 13 animals, which are registered under the name P. l. senegalensis.
There are probably only 450-1,300 lions left in West Africa. In addition, there are about 550-1,550 in Central Africa. In both regions, the area inhabited by lions has been reduced to less than 15% of the historic range. The total population in this ecosystem comprises between 140 and 300 lions. Another large population of 100-400 lions is found in Bénoué ecosystem
Bénoué National Park
Bénoué National Park is a national park of Cameroon and a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve. It is in size. The park has a wide frontage to the Bénoué River, which stretches for over , forming the eastern boundary. The public road to Tcholliré cuts across the northern part of the park...
in Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
. Smaller populations exist in other reseves, like Niokolo-Koba National Park
Niokolo-Koba National Park
The Niokolo-Koba National Park is a World Heritage Site and natural protected area in south eastern Senegal near the Guinea-Bissau border.-National Park:...
in Senegal, Guinea-Mali Protected Area in Guinea, and Waza National Park
Waza National Park
Waza National Park is a national park in Far North Province, Cameroon. It was founded in 1934, albeit as a hunting reserve, and covers a total of 1,700 km²...
in Cameroon.
In Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, there are two small populations left, one in Kainji Lake National Park
Kainji Lake
Kainji Lake, in western Nigeria, is a reservoir on the Niger River, formed by the Kainji Dam. It was formed in 1968 and is a part of Niger State and Kebbi State. Kainji Lake National Park , situated around the lake, is Nigeria's oldest National Park, established in 1976.-Dam:The Kainji Dam is...
, consisting of about 24 lions, and another one in Yankari Game Reserve, consisting of about 15. The population at Kainji Lake might be connected to that of the WAP-Complex. There are probably no lions left in the Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there are about 60 lions in Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park
The Virunga National Park , formerly named Albert National Park, is a 7800 square km National Park that stretches from the Virunga Mountains in the South, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the North, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori...
and about 100 in Garamba National Park
Garamba National Park
Garamba National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa, was established in 1938. One of Africa's oldest National parks, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Garamba is the home to the world's last known wild population of Northern White Rhinoceros...
, respectively. However, these lions are outside the range, originally described for the West African lion.