<P> Most lions now live in eastern and southern Africa , and their numbers there are rapidly decreasing , with an estimated 30 -- 50 % decline per 20 years in the late half of the twentieth century . Estimates of the African lion population range between 16,500 and 47,000 living in the wild in 2002 -- 2004 , down from early 1990s estimates that ranged as high as 100,000 and perhaps 400,000 in 1950 . Primary causes of the decline include disease and human interference . Habitat loss and conflicts with humans are considered the most significant threats to the species . The remaining populations are often geographically isolated from one another , which can lead to inbreeding , and consequently , reduced genetic diversity . The lion population in the region of West Africa is isolated from those of Central Africa , with little or no exchange of breeding individuals . The number of mature individuals in West Africa is estimated by two separate recent surveys at 850 -- 1,160 ( 2002 / 2004 ) . There is disagreement over the size of the largest individual population in West Africa : the estimates range from 100 to 400 lions in Burkina Faso 's Arly - Singou ecosystem . Another population in northwestern Africa is found in Waza National Park , where approximately 14 -- 21 animals persist . Therefore , the lion is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature , while the Asiatic subspecies is endangered . However , in contrast to the African lion , the Asiatic lion 's number has risen over the years . </P>
<P> Most lions now live in eastern and southern Africa , and their numbers there are rapidly decreasing , with an estimated 30 -- 50 % decline per 20 years in the late half of the twentieth century . Estimates of the African lion population range between 16,500 and 47,000 living in the wild in 2002 -- 2004 , down from early 1990s estimates that ranged as high as 100,000 and perhaps 400,000 in 1950 . Primary causes of the decline include disease and human interference . Habitat loss and conflicts with humans are considered the most significant threats to the species . The remaining populations are often geographically isolated from one another , which can lead to inbreeding , and consequently , reduced genetic diversity . The lion population in the region of West Africa is isolated from those of Central Africa , with little or no exchange of breeding individuals . The number of mature individuals in West Africa is estimated by two separate recent surveys at 850 -- 1,160 ( 2002 / 2004 ) . There is disagreement over the size of the largest individual population in West Africa : the estimates range from 100 to 400 lions in Burkina Faso 's Arly - Singou ecosystem . Another population in northwestern Africa is found in Waza National Park , where approximately 14 -- 21 animals persist . Therefore , the lion is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature , while the Asiatic subspecies is endangered . However , in contrast to the African lion , the Asiatic lion 's number has risen over the years . </P>
where are the most lions in the world
where are the most lions in the world
eastern and southern Africa
eastern and southern Africa