The first lion in 20 years has been spotted in the West African nation of Gabon. The species had previously been declared 'locally extinct.' Scientists say it is likely he is in search of a mate.
The first lion in 20 years has been spotted in the West African nation of Gabon. The species had previously been declared 'locally extinct.' Scientists say it is likely he is in search of a mate.
Phil Henschel/Panthera
The Bateke Plateau National Park in Gabon was formed in 2002, and has since attracted animals that have otherwise been extinct -- or nearly -- for decades.
The Bateke Plateau National Park in Gabon was formed in 2002, and has since attracted animals that have otherwise been extinct -- or nearly -- for decades.
Christopher Orbell/Panthera
The lion was spotted on footage collected through a chimpanzee study in Bateke Plateau National Park led by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology's Pan African Programme: The Cultured Chimpanzee and The Aspinall Foundation
The lion was spotted on footage collected through a chimpanzee study in Bateke Plateau National Park led by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology's Pan African Programme: The Cultured Chimpanzee and The Aspinall Foundation
Phil Henschel/Panthera
A lot of protected species disappeared from Gabon in the '90s, including the African wild dog, spotted hyenas and, eventually lions. Footage from the study has captured more species in recent months.
A lot of protected species disappeared from Gabon in the '90s, including the African wild dog, spotted hyenas and, eventually lions. Footage from the study has captured more species in recent months.
Phil Henschel/Panthera
Dr. Phil Henschel, lion program survey coordinator for <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.panthera.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Panthera</a>, a global wild cat conservation organization, conducted a local survey in 2001. The results were not encouraging. In the last 20 years, the lion population has dropped by half throughout the African continent.
Dr. Phil Henschel, lion program survey coordinator for Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization, conducted a local survey in 2001. The results were not encouraging. In the last 20 years, the lion population has dropped by half throughout the African continent.
Phil Henschel/Panthera