![Two male lions](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2019-11/Two%20male%20lions.jpg?itok=NJFzmLI2)
![A male lion](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2019-11/A%20male%20lion%2C%20Kenya.jpg?itok=eUcOLKyC)
![Lionesses and cubs](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2019-11/Lionesses%20and%20cubs.jpg?itok=ZH0b6DGL)
![Lion cubs at water's edge](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2019-11/Lion%20cubs%20drinking%20at%20the%20water%27s%20edge.jpg?itok=Eqt-Zejp)
![Lion sleeping in a tree](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2019-11/Lion%20sleeping%20in%20a%20tree.jpg?itok=AZGT3G-X)
![Storm clouds over the Maasai Mara](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2019-11/A%20rainbow%20appears%20in%20storm%20clouds%20over%20the%20Maasai%20Mara.jpg?itok=2OIlwAi6)
![Lions in Tanzania](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2019-11/Lions%20in%20Tanzania.jpg?itok=j_tc3xJE)
![Pride of lions](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/2019-11/Pride%20of%20lions.jpg?itok=D6yv58UD)
![Male lion running - © Steve Morello / WWF](https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/content_slide_image/public/2016-09/Large_WW215346.jpg?h=24a73c7e&itok=u2Y1kTBd)
African lion numbers are thought to have declined by over 40% in the just three generations.
The main threats are retaliatory or pre-emptive killing of lions to protect people and livestock; and decreasing natural prey populations and habitat (for example, due to expanding human settlements, agriculture and poaching of antelope for wild meat consumption).
When their natural prey is scarce, lions can cause grave losses to livestock, which can massively reduce the income of local people.
Climate change is another increasing threat – extreme weather may cause more droughts or delay the rains, affecting lions’ prey.
They’re also killed for the illegal wildlife trade. In recent years, the demand for lion bone as a substitute for tiger bone in traditional Asian medicine has risen.