By Zoo Boise
Lions hold a special place in our culture — from their roles in beloved cartoons to gracing the logos of our favorite sports teams — and insurance company. But beyond their iconic presence lies a story brimming with depth and importance. Explore the real-life challenges African lions face and the organizations dedicated to saving them.
A lioness sits in front of an antelope herd in Gorongosa National Park. Credit | Michael Dos Santos Photography
African lion facts
What truly distinguishes lions from other majestic big cats is their sociable nature. Unlike tigers, which are solitary, lions form social groups known as prides. These prides can consist of more than 30 lions, with each member playing a unique role in hunting and caring for offspring.
As carnivores, lions primarily prey on hooved animals such as zebra, antelope, wildebeest and gazelle. Female lions typically coordinate group hunts, using stealth and teamwork to capture prey. Since they expend so much energy hunting, lions can spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping.
Adaptable to various habitats, African lions can be found across diverse landscapes, including savannas, grasslands and dry forests. Their natural range extends across Africa, from south of the Sahara Desert to South Africa.
African lions are the second largest feline species, surpassed only in size by tigers. They can reach 5 to 7 feet long with tails over 2 feet long. Males can weigh 330-550 pounds, while females range from 250-400 pounds.
Zoo Boise African lions Revan (left) and Ahsoka (right). Credit | Mackenzie Platt
African lions at Zoo Boise
Idaho’s Zoo Boise is home to two African lions: 10-year-old male Revan and 3-year-old female Ahsoka. Both names are references to characters of a popular science fiction series.
Revan was born on Oct. 4, 2013, at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. He moved to Zoo Boise in 2018 to lead his own pride. His favorite treat is goat’s milk, and his favorite scent enrichment is Obsession by Calvin Klein.
Ahsoka was born on Nov. 5, 2020, at California’s Santa Barbara Zoo. The playful young lioness relocated to Zoo Boise in 2023 to serve as a social companion for Revan. It’s common to find her skillfully batting around a ball or jumping on new enrichment items.
Revan and Ahsoka serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts in Africa. They were matched through the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative conservation program by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The AZA is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing zoos and aquariums in conservation, education, science and recreation. AZA accreditation is the gold standard for zoos and aquariums.
Despite the passion and interest at zoos, African lions are categorized as a vulnerable species in the wild as of 2023, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
Zoo Boise African lion female, Ashoka, playing. Credit | Chris DeRoin
Protecting African lions
Threats facing African lions
At the beginning of the 1900s, over 200,000 lions roamed Africa. Current estimates suggest the population could be as low as 20,000. Lions occupy only around 10% of their historic range today.
Conservationists and biologists attribute the drastic decrease to various factors, including depletion of prey species, poaching and conflict with humans competing for resources, particularly in communities that raise livestock. However, the significant factor is habitat loss due to human encroachment.
Lions are apex predators and a keystone species. Being at the very top of the food chain, they play a critical role in their ecosystem. It may collapse without them!
Zoo Boise male African lion, Revan. Credit | Naomi Clayton, NAC Photography
Conserving African lions through SAFE
Fortunately, the AZA and many accredited zoos, like Zoo Boise, have teamed up to raise awareness for the protection of African lions. This includes naming them a Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) species in 2016. SAFE focuses the collective resources, knowledge and technology of AZA-accredited facilities and their partners to help spread the word about saving threatened species. Today, there are 41 SAFE species groups through the AZA.
Even though wild African lion populations do not appear to be increasing, there is reason to be optimistic. In some parts of Africa, lions are beginning to appear in protected areas where they’ve not been seen for many years. If this trend continues, there’s a reasonable chance that lion populations may stabilize and eventually establish a pathway to recovery.
Gorongosa floodplain and Mount Gorongosa. Credit | Rachel Winer
African lions at Gorongosa National Park
Zoo Boise has turned zoo visits into a conservation action. In 2007, it became the first zoo to build a conservation fee into admission prices. Since then, visits and other activities at Zoo Boise have generated more than $4 million toward efforts to protect animals in the wild.
Zoo Boise’s largest conservation partner is the Gorongosa Restoration Project in Mozambique, Africa. Over 95% of Gorongosa National Park’s large mammal population, including lions, was wiped out after nearly 30 years of war.
Lions began returning to Gorongosa in 2007, marking the first sighting in the area since the 1960s. The protected park’s lion population has grown from just a handful of lions to over 150.
Relocated buffalo, zebras, hippos, African wild dogs and elephants soon followed. Today, more than 100,000 large animals now call Gorongosa home — an incredible transformation from the 10,000 animals in 2007!
In 2013, Zoo Boise formed a long-term partnership to help protect the many incredible species in Gorongosa. Funding also assists the people of the region. Zoo Boise supports initiatives that create jobs through tourism, support girls’ education and set up mobile health clinics.
Over the past 11 years, Zoo Boise has contributed over $2.2 million to help restore Gorongosa National Park. Learn more about the restoration.
This male lion yawns as he takes a break in this field. Credit | Miguel Lajas
How you can help African lions
One of the most important ways you can help wild lion populations is to spread the word! Share what you know about declining lion populations with friends, family, even strangers. Help them feel the same concern you do. Education is critical to generating support for conservation!
Conservation organizations can always use financial support; programs protecting lions are no exception. If you’re unsure where to help, contact your local AZA-accredited zoo to see what projects it supports.
If you want to donate to lion conservation, you can do so through the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund, SAFE or by visiting your local AZA-accredited facility today.
See more of the lions, Ahsoka and Revan, on Zoo Boise’s Facebook page.
To learn more about lion conservation, check out the story of Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens’ lion cubs.
