African Lion Conservation Organizations

Conservation organizations play a crucial role in protecting wildlife and the ecosystems on which they rely. These groups operate at various levels—local, national, and international—to address threats such as habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and dwindling prey populations. Their work encompasses a range of activities, including scientific research, population monitoring, community education, policy advocacy, and direct field interventions.

The organizations listed on this page are involved in a wide range of conservation efforts aimed at ensuring the survival of the African lion. Their conservation efforts are crucial to the protection and preservation of this species.

African Impact

On-the-ground facilitator and operator of volunteer projects throughout Africa, including lion conservation.

African Wildlife Foundation

Works to ensure the wildlife and wild lands of Africa will endure forever; habitat protection, anti-trafficking campaigns

ALERT – African Lion & Environmental Research Trust

To ensure viable populations of African lions are maintained as an integral part of functional ecosystems.

Born Free

The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare. Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering.

Born Free is a UK-based international wildlife protection charity. We promote compassionate conservation to enhance the survival of threatened species in the wild and protect natural habitats while respecting the needs and safeguarding the welfare of individual animals. As a leading wildlife charity, we oppose the exploitation of wild animals in captivity and campaign to keep them where they belong – in the wild.

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

DSWF is an effective wildlife conservation charity funding key projects in Africa and Asia, including lions and tigers.

Ewaso Lions

The Ewaso Lions Project promotes coexistence between people and large carnivores in northern Kenya through scientific study and community outreach.

IUCN – Cat Specialist Group

Advancing the understanding and conservation of the world’s 36 wild living cat species.

"...The IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group brings together more than 200 of the world’s leading cat experts, including scientists, wildlife managers and conservationists from 50 countries who are dedicated to advancing the understanding and conservation of the world’s 36 wild living cat species...The Cat Specialist Group is active in many of its own initiatives as well, focusing on the development of tools for the assessment of the species’ status, for the compilation and distribution of intelligence and for supporting the work of its members..."

Kevin Richardson Foundation

The foundation is committed to changing and reversing the state of Africa’s declining lion population by purchasing habitat and raising awareness to create safe, natural spaces where lions and other native species can flourish.

The foundation was founded in 2018 by Kevin Richardson, a world-renowned wildlife conservationist and filmmaker. The charity was set up to reverse the detrimental state of Africa’s lion populations by purchasing land to expand lion habitat and by raising awareness of their plight.

Lion Guardians

A program that recruits and trains Maasai warrirors to protect lions.

National Geographic: Big Cat’s Initiative

National Geographic's Big Cat Initiative now transitioning to the Great Plains Big Cat Initiative

The National Geographic Society’s Big Cats Initiative (BCI) was founded over a decade ago to halt the decline of big cats in the wild and to raise awareness of the threats big cats were facing. In partnership with National Geographic Explorers at Large and world-renowned conservationists and filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, BCI has made a substantial impact in big cats conservation. Now, the program they co-founded with the Society will transition to the Great Plains Big Cats Initiative under the Jouberts’ leadership and management.The Great Plains Big Cats Initiative will build upon the success of BCI, which awarded more than 150 grants for work in 28 countries, funding on-the-ground research and innovative field-based conservation projects to safeguard big cats and their critical habitats.

Panthera

Panthera focuses its conservation efforts on imperiled cats, including tigers, lions, jaguars, snow leopards, pumas and cheetahs.

Wildlife Conservation Network

Supports independent, community-based conseration efforts worldwide with a focus on protecting endangered species and preserving their natural habitats.