The apex predator, evoking strength and courage, lions in Africa live in woodlands, savannas, dense brush, grasslands and frequently are seen climbing trees. The only cats that live in prides, when lions greet friends or family they greet by rubbing faces and heads.The lion's roar can be heard up to five miles away, quite something to experience in the still of the night.
In 1996, the IUCN declared the lion's conservation status: Vulnerable. In December, 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would be listing two subspecies of lions under the Endangered Species Act. The African Wildlife Foundation, indicates that fewer than 20,000 lions remain in Africa. Africa has seen a 43 percent drop in the lion population over the past 21 years.