By Rick LoBello, Education Programs Manager

Where can you experience the awe-inspiring roar of a lion in El Paso?

Only at the El Paso Zoo, where Hodari and Malaika serve as ambassadors for lion conservation efforts in Africa. If you’ve never heard their powerful roars, make your visit during the zoo’s opening at 9am, when keepers first open the gate from their night house to the main exhibit and you have a better chance of hearing a roar than during the day. When you come to the Zoo, you’ll likely see either our male lion, Hodari, or our lioness, Malaika. Since Hodari is 10 years younger than Malaika and they don’t quite get along, they alternate their time in the main exhibit.

Our zoo began its commitment to lion conservation in 2015 when a staff member proposed to our Conservation Committee that we support Lion Guardians, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Egyptian conservation biologist Leela Hazzah. Leela was recognized as a Top 10 CNN Hero in 2014 for her dedication to preserving lion populations in East Africa by transforming traditional hunters into protectors of these magnificent creatures.

Between 1993 and 2014, the lion population in Africa plummeted by nearly 50% due to poaching and habitat loss. While some countries investing in park management are witnessing a rise in their lion populations, the overall outlook is concerning, with estimates suggesting that fewer than 20,000 lions remain across the continent. Last fall, Smithsonian Magazine highlighted essential actions to save these lions, emphasizing the importance of involving local communities in conservation. Successful global conservation efforts often focus on addressing the needs of people while simultaneously promoting wildlife protection.

I often refer to the successful model endorsed by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, where the mission of saving mountain gorillas is intertwined with supporting local communities. Their clear motto—helping people, saving gorillas—resonates deeply in conservation strategy.

Lions in Africa belong to various subspecies, with the two primary ones being the African lion (Panthera leo leo), found in West and Central Africa, and the Southern African lion (Panthera leo melanochaita), located in southern regions like Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Conservation efforts are definitely more effective when we understand these differences, because each subspecies faces unique challenges and threats. For example, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching can vary across regions. Plus, protecting lions often involves local communities and habitat preservation, so the more we know, the better we can tailor our efforts. It’s definitely an exciting and important field!

There are a few impactful ways someone can help. First, supporting the Zoo’s Conservation Fund is key. Other organizations you can support include the Lion Recovery Fund, the African Wildlife Foundation, and the Wildlife Conservation Network all who are heavily involved in lion conservation efforts.

Another great way is to raise awareness and educate others about the threats lions face, like habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Did you know that you can become a Zoo volunteer and help others visiting the zoo become aware of lion conservation efforts?  Supporting sustainable tourism in African countries can also help boost local economies and fund conservation efforts.

Photos
Cover – MudflapDC, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Feature – Paul, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Top – Valentina Sorti, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Below Top – Zoo Staff
Bottom – Rick LoBello