Today, the lion is listed by the IUCN as an animal that is “Vulnerable” from extinction in its natural environment in the near future. With global lion populations decreasing an estimated 42% between 1993-2014, lions continue to be under threat from hunting and habitat loss.
The Asiatic subspecies of lions is listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN. With only about 600 individuals living in a single forest, the species has seen its numbers rising in recent years, but needs a second population established to continue seeing its population rebound from the brink of extinction.