Barbary Lion: Characteristics, habitat and extinction in the wild

The Barbary Lion: A Tragic Tale of Extinction

Reading time : 1 minute, Discovery Chepe Id-520-ECO
Published in 11-07-2024

This image depicts one of the last Atlas lions, declared extinct in 1942. Today it only lives in captivity, originally from North Africa, this majestic lion was used in ancient times for the execution of Christians and condemned people in the great Roman arenas. It surpassed current lions in size and strength.

The Atlas lion (Panthera leo leo), also known as the Barbary lion, was a subspecies of lion that inhabited the Atlas Mountains and other regions of North Africa. It was notable for its impressive mane, which extended to the middle of its back, and its adaptation to mountain forests. Today this lion only lives on zoos and conservation places more than 50 years ago, even, its DNA is not pure.

Distinguishing characteristics
Luxurious mane: Its most striking characteristic was its mane, which was longer and darker than that of other lions.
Imposing size: They were large lions, adapted to hunting alone or in small groups.
Mountainous habitat: Unlike other lions, the Atlas lion preferred the cedar and pine forests of the mountains.

Habitat
The Atlas lion was distributed across a wide region of North Africa, from Morocco to Egypt. Its habitats included:
Cedar and pine forests: These forests provided shelter and abundant prey.
Mountainous areas: They adapted to life in steep terrain.
Plains and steppes: They also lived in more open areas, although to a lesser extent.

The Last Roar: The Decline and Fall of the Barbary Lion

(The last photograph of a Barbary lion in the wild, taken by Marcelin Flandrin during a flight on the Casablanca-Dakar air route, over the Atlas Mountains, 1925.)

Reproduction
The reproduction of the Atlas lion was similar to that of other lion subspecies. Lionesses were responsible for raising the cubs, while males protected the territory and the group.

Cause of extinction
The extinction of the Atlas lion in the wild was due to a combination of factors:
Overhunting: For centuries, these lions were hunted for their skin, bones, and as trophies.
Habitat loss: The expansion of agriculture and urbanization drastically reduced their territory.
Conflicts with humans: Attacks on livestock and people increased hostility towards these animals.

A lost giant
The disappearance of the Atlas lion represents a major loss for North Africa's biodiversity. Although there are conservation efforts to preserve its genetics through captive breeding programs, it is unlikely that this majestic creature will ever roar free again in its former habitat.