Populations of the king of beasts are dwindling all across Africa, according to a new report released by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). African lions have disappeared from 82 percent of their historic distribution over the past several decades.

The report listed the African lion as being one of 20 of the “most vulnerable” carnivores in Africa. It concluded that lion populations have been dropping steadily in recent decades, due primarily to conflicts with humans, destruction of habitats and the loss of prey. The researchers ranked the 20 species using a variety of external factors, including the state of current knowledge about them to the threats facing each species.

While their situation is dire, African lions may be among the more fortunate animals among the list of most-vulnerable species. Because lions are so well-known, they enjoy a relative wealth of conservation and research-based efforts compared to other species.

Other carnivores on the most-vulnerable list included cheetahs and African wild dogs, which have vanished from 75 and 89 percent of their historical habitat respectively, and the Ethiopian wolves which can no longer be found in 98 percent of their original range. Other species of concern included the leopard, spotted hyena and golden cat.

--Ker Than

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