Lion | Ouranos

Lion
Panthera leo

Localization

Africa and India

Threats

Housing and urban areas
Annual and perennial non-timber crops
Livestock farming and ranching
Hunting and trapping terrestrial animals
Logging and wood harvesting
War, civil unrest and military exercises
Agricultural and forestry effluents

Population :

Stable (populations of India)
Decreasing (General)

U.I.C.N. :

EN - Endangered (populations of India - Panthera leo persica)
VU - Vulnerable (General - Panthera leo)

C.I.T.E.S. :

Appendix I : populations of India (26/11/2019)
Appendix II : African populations

EU Wildlife Trade Regulations :

Annex A (20/05/2023) : Only the populations of India
Annex B (20/05/2023) : all the populations of Africa

Trade

Afghanistan :

(17/05/2013)

All exports are suspended.

Angola :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Australia :

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES (19/03/2018)

Australia implements stricter domestic measures that treat African lions (Panthera leo), African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and all whales and dolphins (Cetacea) as though they are listed on Appendix I to CITES. Under Australian legislation, imports and exports of Appendix I species can only occur if the specimen:

was obtained prior to the first listing of the species on CITES – i.e. a ‘pre-Convention’ specimen (non-live specimens only); – is traded as part of a non-commercial exchange of scientific specimens between registered institutions (non-live specimens only)
is traded for research purposes (live and non-live specimens)
is traded for education purposes (live and non-live specimens)
is traded for exhibition purposes (non-live specimens only)
is traded as part of a Cooperative Conservation Program (for live specimens only).

Australia does not permit personal imports or exports of species listed on Appendix I to CITES, including hunting trophies, unless they are demonstrated to be pre-Convention specimens and are accompanied by relevant pre-Convention certificates.

Australia does not recognise personal and household effects exemptions for Appendix I specimens.

Australia requires import permits for trade in species listed on Appendix II to CITES, except for items covered by personal and household effects exemptions. We would appreciate your assistance in alerting exporters sending goods to Australia, commercially and/or via post, that they are required to obtain an import permit from Australia.

Benin :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (19/09/2014) : Negative (Wild)

Botswana :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (03/09/2014) : No decision taken (wild)

Burkina Faso :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (09/04/2015) : Negative (Wild)

Cameroon :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (09/04/2015) : Negative (Wild)

Central African Republic :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (13/09/2022) : Negative (Wild)

Chad :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Côte d'Ivoire :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Democratic Republic of Congo :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Djibouti :

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES (30/01/2018)

All commercial trade in specimens of CITES-listed species are suspended.

Eswatini :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Ethiopia :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (02/01/2024) : Suspension (Wild)

European Union :

Official Journal of the European Union - COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2023/966 of 15 May 2023 (20/05/2023)

Annex A (20/05/2023) : Only the populations of India

Annex B (20/05/2023) : all the populations of Africa

For African populations: a zero annual export quota is established for specimens of bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes. Annual export quotas for trade in bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth for commercial purposes, derived from captive breeding operations in South Africa, will be established and communicated annually to the CITES Secretariat.

Ghana :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Guinea :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES (23/11/2023)

All commercial trade in specimens of CITES-listed species are suspended.

Guinea Bissau :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Kenya :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

India :

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES (26/03/2018)

[Stricter domestic measures] The Government of India has banned the export for commercial purposes of all wild-taken specimens of species included in Appendices I, II and III, except cultivated varieties of plant species included in Appendices I and II.

Israel :

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES (13/08/2019)

[Stricter domestic measures] The import of potentially invasive animals, wildlife for circus activities, poisonous animals or plants except under rare circumstances, and wild-sourced specimens of CITES-listed species for commercial purposes; and the export of native wildlife (exceptions may be made inter alia for scientific or educational purposes).

Libya :

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES (10/01/2024)

All commercial trade in specimens of CITES-listed species are suspended.

Malawi :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Mali :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Mozambique :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (19/09/2023) : Negative - Wild, including hunting trophies, for all populations except from the Niassa reserve (including the Chipanje Chetu community conservation area).

Namibia :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (07/06/2012) : Positive (Wild)

Niger :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Nigeria :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Senegal :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Somalia :

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES (12/01/2024)

All commercial trade in specimens of CITES-listed species are suspended.

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

South Africa :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (24/05/2023) : Positive (Wild)

South Sudan :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (07/06/2012) : Scientific Review Group Referral (Wild)

Sudan :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (07/06/2012) : Scientific Review Group Referral (Wild)

Togo :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

Tanzania :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (07/11/2016) : Positive (Wild, including hunting trophies)

Uganda :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

United States :

H.R. 263, the “Big Cat Public Safety Act,” which amends the Lacy Act (20/12/2022)

Limits breeding and ownership of big cats to ensure public safety.

Rules through the United States :

Alabama: Restrictions on exotic animals like giant snails, bobcats, and venomous reptiles unless permitted before 2021. No release of non-native animals without a license.
Alaska: Broad restrictions on wildlife, including wolf hybrids and chimpanzees. Some pets, like ferrets, are legal without a permit.
Arizona: Extensive restrictions require permits for many species like primates, foxes, and Gila monsters. Permits are issued for specific purposes like education.
Arkansas: Large carnivores and primates are restricted unless permitted before set years. Some venomous reptiles are allowed with permits, and up to six captive-bred animals like raccoons can be owned without a permit.
California: Prohibits most wild animals, including bears and primates, but allows hybrids like Savannah cats.
Colorado: Most exotic animals like primates and raccoons are banned, but hedgehogs and sugar gliders are allowed without permits.
Connecticut: Prohibits dangerous animals like bears and wolves. Limited ownership of primates allowed under specific conditions.
Delaware: Requires permits for exotic animals; no comprehensive list of banned animals is provided.
District of Columbia: Only common domestic pets like cats, dogs, and some birds are allowed. Exotic species are banned.
Florida: Animals categorized into Classes I-III, with varying permit requirements. Non-dangerous animals like ferrets are exempt.
Georgia: Strict permitting for wild animals like kangaroos and venomous snakes, while ferrets and sugar gliders are allowed under specific conditions.
Hawaii: Most exotic animals, including hedgehogs and ferrets, are banned. A limited number of domesticated animals are permitted.
Idaho: Prohibits animals harmful to agriculture, like wild boars and large cats. Llamas and guinea pigs are allowed without permits.
Illinois: Restricts dangerous animals like large cats and wolves to organizations. Existing primates are allowed if registered.
Indiana: Allows exotic animal ownership with permits for different classes, from squirrels to large predators.
Iowa: Restricts dangerous wild animals unless permitted before 2007. Hybrids of domestic species are allowed.
Kansas: Limits ownership of regulated animals like large cats, bears, and venomous snakes to approved facilities.
Kentucky: Bans inherently dangerous animals like primates and bears. Some permits available for non-dangerous species.
Louisiana: Requires permits for large snakes and prohibits endangered or dangerous species like bears and wolves.
Maine: Broad restrictions on exotic pets like giraffes and kangaroos. Some exotic animals like coati are permitted.
Maryland: Prohibits dangerous animals like primates and large cats unless registered before 2006.
Massachusetts: Strict restrictions on endangered species and venomous reptiles. Ferrets allowed under specific conditions.
Michigan: Restricts ownership of non-native species like large cats. Permits are available for captive-bred wildlife.
Minnesota: Prohibits regulated animals like large cats unless registered before 2005.
Mississippi: Requires liability insurance for permits to own inherently dangerous animals like elephants and primates.
Missouri: Requires registration of dangerous reptiles and mammals with law enforcement.
Montana: Requires annual permits for wild animals like large cats and bears. Many small exotics are legal without permits.
Nebraska: Captive wildlife permits needed for most wild animals, excluding certain species like skunks and bears.
Nevada: Relatively lenient, banning certain species like alligators but allowing primates and large cats.
New Hampshire: Controlled species like armadillos and cougars require permits.
New Jersey: Permits required for many species, including ferrets and primates. Some small animals are exempt.
New Mexico: Regulates zoonotic disease carriers like skunks and raccoons; local laws may impose additional restrictions.
New York: Prohibits most wild animals and hybrids; fines imposed for violations.
North Carolina: Exotic pet laws vary by county or city; no statewide restrictions.
North Dakota: Dangerous or hazardous animals like zebras and primates require licenses.
Ohio: Strict laws after a 2011 incident, banning dangerous wild animals like tigers and bears without permits.
Oklahoma: Permits required for venomous reptiles, while many exotic animals are exempt from regulation.
Oregon: Prohibits wild cat species and large predators; permits available for service monkeys.
Pennsylvania: Exotic wildlife permits required for animals like lions, wolves, and venomous snakes.
Rhode Island: Only specific organizations can own wild carnivores like lions and tigers.
South Carolina: Restricts large cats and apes unless registered by 2018.
South Dakota: Permits required for most exotic animals, with specific rules for raccoon dogs.
Tennessee: Classifies animals by risk level, requiring permits for certain classes.
Texas: Requires a certificate of registration for dangerous wild animals like wild cats and primates.
Utah: Controlled, noncontrolled, and prohibited animals require different levels of permitting.
Vermont: Requires permits for exotic animals not on the unrestricted list.
Virginia: Exotic animals like wild cats and crocodiles require permits.
Washington: Prohibits dangerous animals like bears and venomous snakes.
West Virginia: Requires permits with strict conditions for keeping wild animals.
Wisconsin: Requires licenses for wild animals, but some, like opossums and ground squirrels, are exempt.
Wyoming: Requires permits for most wildlife unless specifically exempted.

Highlights:

Stringent Restrictions: Hawaii, California, and New York are among the strictest states.
Lenient Laws: Indiana and Nevada allow more exotic animals with fewer restrictions.
Common Prohibitions: Dangerous animals like large cats, bears, primates, and venomous reptiles are frequently restricted.
Permits: Most states offer permits for special cases like education or scientific purposes.

Zambia :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (07/03/2016) : Positive (Wild, including hunting trophies)

Zimbabwe :

Conference of the Parties

Quota (2024) : 0

Bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes.

EU DECISIONS (12/12/2023) : In consultation (Wild)

References :

Species+