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Lion, Kenya
Photograph by John Eastcott and Yva Momatiuk
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 fewer than 150, are under imminent threat of extinction from Maasai herdsmen thought to be retaliating against prides who prey on their cattle.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Lionesses and Cubs
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
Three female lions and a pair of cubs rest in the grass in Botswana's Okavango Delta. Females remain with a pride for life and often have to defend their cubs from males, who will kill young lions when taking over another male's territory.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Male Lions, Botswana
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
Two young male lions lie in the grass of Botswana's Okavango Delta. A pride of lions may be headed by a single male or a coalition of up to seven males who cooperatively defend the group's territory.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Lioness, Botswana
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
A female lion in Botswana's Okavango Delta stretches as other members of the pride lounge nearby. Pride size can range from 2 to 18 females and cubs, all related to one another.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Lion, Botswana
Photograph by Beverly Joubert
An adult male lion walks through grasslands in Botswana's Okavango Delta. Biologists think males evolved their impressive manes in part to provide neck protection during fights, among other reasons.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Mountain Lion
Photograph by Jim & Jamie Dutcher
Mountain lions do not like to share their territory and are constantly on the lookout for invaders.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Bengal Tiger and Cub
Photograph by Michael Nichols
A mother Bengal tiger and her cub rest in the tall grass of a meadow. Tiger cubs remain with their mothers for two to three years before dispersing to find their own territory.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Cheetah
Photograph by Chris Johns
Sharp eyesight and raw speed make the cheetah a formidable hunter.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Jaguar
Photograph by Joel Sartore
Jaguars, the largest of South America's big cats, once roamed much of the Americas. Today they are found in only a few remote regions.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Clouded Leopard
Photograph by Peter Weimann/Animals Animals—Earth Scenes
Somewhere between the small cats, which can purr, and the big cats, which can roar, are clouded leopards. These rare cats make their home in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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African Lion
Photograph by Chris Johns
Fiercely protective of their prides, or family units, male lions patrol a vast territory normally covering about 100 square miles (260 square kilometers).
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Asian Lion
Photograph by Mattias Klum
Only 200 or so Asian lions exist in the wild. A former royal reserve, India's Gir Forest, is the last home of this lion subspecies.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Snow Leopard
Photograph by Michael Nichols
Native to the Central Asian mountains, the snow leopard is a rare sight, with only about 6,000 left in the wild. They are hunted for their beautiful, warm fur and for their organs, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Cheetah Mother and Cubs
Photograph by Chris Johns
Cheetah mothers typically give birth to a litter of three cubs, all of which will stay with her for one and a half to two years before venturing off on their own. When interacting with her cubs, cheetah mothers purr, just like domestic cats.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
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Siberian Tigers
Photograph by Michael Nichols
Of the three remaining species of tigers, Siberian tigers are the largest. While there are only 400 to 500 left in the wild, the population is considered stable, and conservation programs are introducing captive-born tigers to the wild.
Big Cats Initiative
National Geographic is working to avert the extinction of lions, cheetahs, and other big cats with the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports innovative projects. Learn how you can help save these animals.
Learn More About Big Cats
Big Cats Features
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Nat Geo and Panthera Team Up
Panthera—the world's largest organization dedicated entirely to wild cat conservation—will serve as a scientific and strategic collaborator for the Big Cats Initiative.
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Wild TV Shows
Look for big cat shows on Nat Geo Wild year round, and check out great Wild programming like America the Wild with Casey Anderson.
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Little Kitties For Big Cats
For just $5, you can upload a photo of your little kitty to our Little Kitties for Big Cats website, and help us save lions, tigers, cheetahs, and other big cats. Upload a photo to show your support!
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What Is Cause An Uproar?
Cause An Uproar encourages all people to take simple steps to help save big cats—donate, share, wear, and get involved! Visit our Take Action page, or read more about National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative.
Help Big Cats
Lion Experts
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Dereck and Beverly Joubert, Filmmakers and Conservationists
Learn about their mission to conserve and understand large predators and key African wildlife species.
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