When Lions Roared

As the looming shadows of the evening sky veil what once was light, as the last rays of the setting sun succumb to the darkness of the night, the delicate silence of the scene is shattered by the echoes of a deep thunderous call. Echoing through the tall grasses of this kingdom, those who rule here begin to stir. The eternal kings and queens of Africa begin to awaken, for, the night belongs to them. Africa, the land of lions… perhaps for an eternity? But only perhaps… 

I’ve had the great privilege to have spent many incredible moments in the company of lions, and each one of those moments has left me more captivated than the last. I have watched them laze the day away barely moving a muscle like only lions can, and then I have been fortunate enough to watch them on the hunt, where their incomprehensible power has left me spellbound, time, and time again. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how many times you see a lion in the wild, the feeling each time is the same… one of awe, one where your heart skips a beat, and you find yourself gasping for a breath, all while trying to comprehend this magnificent creature before you… Perhaps, more than anything, to be in the company of a lion, is to be part of an exercise in humility, for it becomes very apparent that you are in the company of one far greater than yourself.

When you are in the company of lions, you realize that they have this incredible energy about them. It’s not an “in your face” sort of energy, but rather one that more subtle, it’s an energy that almost transcendent in nature. It quietly transports you far away from anything you are experiencing or dealing with outside of that moment, and makes you feel completely part of the present. You lose sight of every distraction, and all that you see is what’s before you… one of nature’s greatest creations. You never forget the times you spend with lions, because they are simply breathtaking, there’s no other way to put it, mythical? Maybe! I just know that whenever I am with lions, roaming wild and free… nothing else matters. 

However, for all the romantic anecdotes we tell about these great creatures, these gods amongst men, the truth is, lions are on the brink of succumbing to what countless others have before… the insatiable greed of our own species. Its unfathomable to think that even a creature as revered and iconic as a lion cannot escape man’s gluttonous grasp of destruction. The great prides of Africa that remain are desperately holding on to their last pride lands. 

Not only are lions facing incredible pressure from diminishing wildernesses as the human population continues to grow at an unsustainable rate. In just the past two decades, lion populations decreased by 43 percent, and it’s estimated that as few as 23,000 remain today. Lions have disappeared from 94% or their historic range, and in fact where they once roamed most of the continent of Africa, they have now been declared regionally extinct in 15 countries across Africa. In reality though, pressures that impact the survival of this great predator extend far beyond just diminishing lands. Bush meat trade, poaching, the cub petting industry (this disgusting industry is worth writing about as its own topic) and the trade in lion bones (used in traditional Asian medicine… complete bullshit) have all played a role in decimating lion populations. There’s so much blame that can go around, but none of that blame will save these, the last kings of Africa. So, we need to focus on what will.

I often think about the gauntlet of man-made or rather “man-inflicted” obstacles that face these beautiful creatures in their rightful quest to simply exist, and I find myself searching for solutions or answers. What will save our planet’s last lions? I sometimes tell myself, maybe there’s not just one answer or one solution to something like this, but then at times I realize that, perhaps… there is. Perhaps the ultimate godsend for these magnificent creatures lies in something as ancient and beautiful as themselves, perhaps the one thing that will save these great beings is the one trait of humanity that balances out the greed, and gluttony… compassion. 

I know, you might be reading this and thinking, that it just sounds like wishful thinking and “fluff talk”, but I sincerely believe that. I have seen human greed destroy so much, even when there were laws and regulations, but in contrast, I have seen our species go to great lengths to save that which they hold dear, that which they love. And compassion and love are brethren. So, as conservationists, and scientists work tirelessly on the front lines to try and saves lions, we must do what we can do to support them, and what we can do is find the compassion that makes us human, to advocate for a creature with a mighty roar that remains voiceless. Our compassion is the voice we give to the voiceless, our compassion is our roar, and it may very well be the one thing that saves the king of kings. 

Our compassion though must lead us to action, our compassion must drive us to raise awareness, make choices that champion lions, and if we can support organizations that are on the ground working to save lions. 

I read a quote once that said, “the saddest day will come, when a child asks, “What was a lion””, and I dare not even think of that day, because if there is one thing that I have learned from all my years of watching lions, if there’s just one thing that they have taught me, it is that even in the face of insurmountable odds, your spirit, likes that that of a lion’s, must remain… unconquerable.

 So, we must remain indomitable, our compassion must remain resolute. We have a choice, and a world without lions isn’t one of them, because if the day ever comes when lions are no more, it won’t be a loss for the lions, the loss be completely ours. 

 I can’t even begin to imagine an Africa, or for that matter a world, without lions… I simply can’t. 

The thought of the great grasslands of Africa without lions, would be like a painting, that’s technically perfect, but devoid of the passion that makes it a beautiful masterpiece. 

When I began writing this piece, I wasn’t thinking about writing a tragic tale about lions, I wanted to write something beautiful, about one of the most beautiful creatures to have ever walked this planet of ours. I wanted to write about this majestic creature that shares our world… I just wanted to write about the lion. So, it’s unfortunate that even in just thinking about their beauty and everything that we love about them, one can’t escape the tale of the perilous journey that they currently face… Maybe the day will come when I can just write a piece about how beautiful lions are and nothing more, Maybe the day will come when the lions story is a triumphant one, and nothing less… maybe that will be a story of not just lions flourishing, but also of the human spirit finding the best part of itself. 

What would this world be like without lions? Its unimaginable. These magnificent creatures have ruled long before the dawn of man. We have always perceived ourselves to share our greatest qualities with those that are innately natural to lions… so maybe saving the lion is saving the part of humanity that we hold in the highest esteem.

I pray that Africa’s future is one where the great prides prosper generation after generation. One where lions still rule and courageously hunt buffalo, and battle hyenas for the claim to the pride lands. I pray that their roars always echo through the kingdom of Africa for an eternity and then an eternity again. I pray that their footsteps always whisper through the shadows as they stalk the golden savannas of the dark continent. 

 May ours always be a planet that’s home to lions; to humble us, to inspire us, to show us just how beautiful our world is, because we share it with beings far greater than ourselves.

 Here’s to the ones that roar… here’s to the king of kings.