Lions in West-Africa

[chui_]

Some great posts Lycaon! I didn't realize there were so many photographs of these West African lions! Same thing for leopards, those from West Africa are among the least well observed, yet you've shared some great photos.

I admire your passion for West and Central African wildlife. I myself have always been drawn to animals and wild places which are least well documented and most poorly represented. In the case of Africa, most of what we see in books and documentaries is actually only one half of the continent (ie the much better observed East and Southern African areas) - the other half is usually neglected. This is unfortunate especially considering most African species have distinct West/Central and East/Southern subspecies. The lion being one of them. Even for leopards, recent genetic studies suggest the idea of a single African subspecies may turn to be false, as more comprehensive analysis showed evidence for distinct sub populations in West Africa, Gabon, Central/East Africa, Central/Southern Africa, and South Africa. Further studies may establish these populations as distinct sub species (they probably will IMO).

However, as you may know conservation of wild areas in West and Central Africa is largely lacking. Bush meat hunting is rampant in most areas which in some places is further exacerbated by civil wars where the influx of automatic weapons results in large scale decimation of wild game. Hopefully things will improve in the future. Reply