This holiday is important for highlighting lions’ conservation challenges and the need to Protect the Pride. Wild lion populations have decreased by 90% in the past century from threats like habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflicts, and canned hunting.

Some of the ways that you can help lions are to educate yourself about their conservation needs, support organizations working to protect lions like those on https://www.worldlionday.com/lion-charities/, and by being an informed traveler that does not pay for photos or experiences that interact directly with lion cubs or adults.

Two of the ways Reid Park Zoo works to protect lions are by being a part of the AZA lion Species Survival Plan that works to preserve the genetic integrity of lions in human care and connect guests with this species, and by supporting the Tanzania Conservation and Science Program, which protects critical lion habitat space in Tanzania.