Protection
Approximately 16 500 to 30 000 lions still live freedom. IUCN is part of the principle that in 2004 the number of lions has declined worldwide over the past two decades from 30 to 50%. The reasons for this decline are not fully known. It is assumed that the reduction of game hunted by the lion, the conflict between man and the lion and habitat degradation are the main reasons for the decline of lion populations. Across Africa, the lion has disappeared over 80% of its former territory. The African lion is considered "vulnerable" on the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN, due to the steady decline in the size of this species. In West Africa, the number of lions is less than 1500. This species meets the criterion of "regionally endangered." There are more than 200 to 300 individuals in Asia, threatened by the loss of their genetic heritage.

New strategies to protect the lion aimed at improving opportunities for peaceful coexistence in the future between lions and men: an integrated land use with wildlife, reduce conflicts between man and the lion and the prevention of illegal trade of the lion and its derivatives. The future of these "fat cats" already appears on a better path in a few large reserves of South Africa and East while very precarious in Asia to offset the latter, the Indian government has place in the 2000s a lion reintroduction project in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary: the Asiatic Lion reintroduction Project