Loss of habitat, prey decline, pesticides, even canine distemper and tuberculosis have caused lion numbers to quickly decline. This interactive map shows the dramatic decrease in lion population and specific moments that were particularly deadly.
The National Geographic Society has launched the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports on-the-ground conservation projects, education, and economic incentive efforts all to halt the rapid population decline of lions, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, and other top felines.