Pressures on land use from increasing human populations leading to continued fragmentation of the remaining suitable habitat coupled with indiscriminate killing in defense of life and livestock and prey base depletion are recognized as being the principle causes for their decline.
Lion-hunting is commonplace, with one third of people reporting having taken part in them.
Retribution killing of lions is also likely to be high as villagers report high livestock predation.
A primary threat to lions is the use of lion skin in traditional ceremonies that take place in Guinea-Bissau.
Brugiere D, Badjinca I, Silva C, Serra A, Barry M (2005) Distribution and Status of Lions and Leopards in Southern Guinea Bissau and Western Guinea, West Africa. CATNews 43, 13-17 (pdf)
Trade in Lions
The hunting of lions is prohibited in Guinea-Bissau
Number of wild source lions estimated in international trade, 1999-2008: 0
Average annual wild source trade as percent of population size*: 0
* Used average of Chardonnet (2002) and Bauer & van der Merwe (2004) studies
Place J, Flocken J, Travers W, Waterland S, Telecky T, Kennedy C, Goyenechea A (2011) Petition to list the African Lion (Panthera leo leo) as endangered pursuant to the US Endangered Species Act. The International Fund for Animal Welfare, The Born Free Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, Defenders of Wildlife (pdf)
Lions in Culture
State Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development
Palacio do Governo
Avenida dos Combatentes da Liberdade da Patria
Bissau – 399
Lions in the News
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