Large carnivores in West and Central Africa—especially lions—are vanishing due to habitat loss, poaching, and poorly regulated trophy hunting. The Bénoué Complex in northern Cameroon remains one of the last lion strongholds in the region, yet lion numbers there are far below sustainable levels. A track index study found similar prey densities in both national parks and hunting zones, but lion populations were significantly lower in hunted areas. Leopards and hyenas showed no major difference in abundance. This suggests overhunting is having a disproportionate impact on lions, despite habitat quality. The study underscores the urgent need for science-based management, improved monitoring, and sustainable hunting policies that support conservation goals. West and Central Africa’s lions are genetically unique and globally important—preserving them will require collaboration, investment, and responsible stewardship across both protected parks and hunting concessions.
