Most of the lions at the present time lives in eastern and southern Africa, and their numbers are rapidly declining. It is estimated that over the past two decades, the population has decreased by 30-50%. In 2002-2004, the number of lions estimated to 16,5-47 thousand individuals, while in 1970 there were 100,000, and perhaps 400,000 in 1954. The main causes of population decline are climate change, disease and human intervention. Habitat loss and conflicts with the man considered the most dangerous threats to the species.
Asiatic Lion, whose habitat previously stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the north-west of India, now preserved only in Sasan Gir National Park. It has about 320 Asiatic lions
Other groups lions often geographically isolated, which may result in inbreeding and thus reduce genetic diversity. In this regard, the International Union for Conservation of Nature found a lion vulnerable species, subspecies and Asian - are in a dangerous condition. Lions from West Africa are isolated from the central African populations and almost do not interbreed with each other. According to the estimates of the two recent studies in West Africa, there are between 850 and 1650 adults (2002-2004). Most of the lions living in the ecosystem Airlie Singh in Burkina Faso.
Conservation of both African and Asian lions promotes the creation of nature reserves and national parks. The most significant are the Etosha National Park in Namibia, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and Kruger National Park in South Africa. Outside of these areas people kill lions due to the fact that they attack livestock.
