Photo Gallery: Big Cats

Lions are threatened throughout most of their African range. But nowhere is their condition as perilous as in Kenyan Maasailand, where this large male was photographed. Lions there, which number less than 150, are under imminent threat of extinction from Maasai herdsmen thought to be retaliating against prides who prey on their cattle.

National Geographic is working to avert the lions' extinction with the Maasailand Emergency Fund. Donations will be used to support animal husbandry education and job creation for the Maasai, among other endeavors.