It is I again, @joan-na, who I am here to talk about a protected animal in northern Nigeria. There are thousands of wild animals in Nigeria, of which only a few are protected.
African Lion
In northern Nigeria, especially in Kainji Lake National Park and Yankari Game Reserve, there is a very small population which are still available in northern Nigeria. There are a number of these animals that have declined dramatically. African Lion is considered critically endangered in northern Nigeria and the West African region as a whole.
Causes of Habitat and Environmental Changes
Some of the causes of habitat and environmental changes for the African lion are as follows:
Habitat Loss: This happened due to the expansion of agricultural activities, deforestation, and human settlements, which have made these animals start running away.
Poaching and Illegal Hunting: These animals are often killed for bushmeat, traditional hunting, and for several other reasons.
Climate Change: With the increasing desertification in northern Nigeria, water is being affected, which is stressing the African lion.
Legal Status and Protection Measures
The IUCN Red-Listt Status is in control of the lion, which is listed as vulnerable globally, but the West African subpopulation is considered critically endangered.
It is protected under the Nigerian Endangered Species Control of Traffic and International Trade.
There is conservation areas for this animal in two different northern states: In Bauchi State (Yankari Game Reserve) and In Niger State (Kainji Lake National Park).
I am inviting: @woka-happiness, @jasminemary and @dave-hanny