Securing the third of the four remaining West African lion populations

There are just four known populations of the critically endangered West African lion subspecies, two of which occur in Nigeria. LRF provided a grant to WCS for their support to the management and protection of Yankari National Park, meaning that they have now supported projects at 3 of the 4 sites in which West African lions persist. Subsequent to issuing the first grant, it was clear that ungulate populations in the park were increasing, but that the small remaining lion population appears not to be. Thus a second grant was issued to allow for close monitoring and protection of the lion population to help mitigate against any lion-specific threats. In late 2021, a third grant was issued to allow for continued support for law enforcement to protect lions, their prey and their habitats.