World Lion Day was begun in 2013 by Derek and Beverly Joubert, a husband-and-wife team with a passion for big cats. It was started as an awareness holiday to protect the remaining big cats living in the wild.
World Lion Day is celebrated yearly on August 10.
Lion Facts
- Lions are the second largest big cat in the world. Only the Asian tiger is larger.
- Lions weigh 300-550 pounds and are admired for their speed and muscular strength.
- Today, lions are only found in the wild in Africa and certain sections of Asia when once they were found all over Africa and the Eurasian continent. This is mostly due to loss of their natural environment.
- Lions are not currently on the endangered species list, but are considered 'vulnerable' because their number has been reduced by fifty percent over the years.
- Researchers estimate that there are only 30,000 to 100,000 lions left on the planet.
The Three Purposes of World Lion Day
- Raise awareness of their plight and the issues that the species faces in the wild.
- Find ways to protect the big cat’s natural environment (such as creating more national parks and reducing the areas in which people can settle).
- Educate people who live near wild cats on the dangers and how to protect themselves. Big cats and humans can live in harmony together, if they understand how to do so.
Places to See Lions Other Than in the Wild
Zoos – many zoos today designate wild areas where the zoo lions can roam outside in a simulated natural habitat. This way they do not need to be caged, yet people can safely see them.
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Photo by Sylvestermouse |
Sylvestermouse shares a fantastic photo of two such lions – Fred and Savannah – when they were living at the Memphis Zoo. Her interesting article with facts on the African Lion, and on Fred & Savannah, can be found on her Amazing Wild Animals website.
Wildlife Parks, such as Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kansas (near Wichita) which is a family-friendly destination where parkgoers can have up-close and hands-on interaction with the animals.
Plush Lion
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Luke, the crocheted plush lion |
Children who wish to have a lion of their own could safely do so with a cuddly plush lion. :-)
Luke the Lion is a plump round roly-poly kind of Lion who is soft and fun to hold. He's a very friendly little lion who seldom ever roars, and likes to do 'quiet' things, like reading and playing board games.
Luke the plush lion is handmade in crochet and can be found in the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts.
Summary
So, celebrate this “King-of-the-Jungle” on August 10 each year. An interesting and fascinating animal awareness holiday.
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*World Lion Day holiday review is written by Wednesday Elf
It’s heartbreaking to see such magnificent creatures dwindling in number because of the destruction or erosion of these big cats’ natural habitats. Your adorable Luke the Lion would make a wonderful gift for a child and help educate younger generations on the plight of these majestic beasts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret. Glad you like my Luke the Lion and I agree that it would help educate youngers to the plight of the lion.
DeleteI sure hope habitat will be set aside for these majestic animals. I would hate to see a world where lions have ceased to exist (and thrive). We should celebrate them every day by ensuring their survival.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Diana. Wild animals such as the majestic lion should not cease to exist. The world would be a sadder place without them.
DeleteThanks for your visit, Diana. Natural habitats for lions would go a long way toward saving them from extinction.
ReplyDeleteWhile I have no desire to meet an African Lion up close and personal in the wild, I do adore their magnificent beauty from afar. I am grateful that we have places like the Memphis Zoo that give lions a nice home outside of cages, even though they are still in captivity. Thank you for featuring my article on African Lions. Clearly, I support celebrating World Lion Day. Your little lion is absolutely adorable!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mouse. Lion toys, such as my plush lion, give kids an idea of this wonderful animal without being in danger from a real one.
DeleteSince I'm a Leo, I do love Lions! That crocheted lion is so so so cute!!! The majesty of Lions is something to behold. Cats in general I love!
ReplyDeleteBeing a Leo is perfect, Barbara. :-) Thanks for your visit to my review of World Lion Day.
DeleteOh I love Lions and their mates. We are blessed with an amazing place to go and see these creatures and many more at the African Lion Safari in Ontario Canada. You are the ones caged in your cars while you drive through the enclosures of the animals. It's wonderful to see them living and not having to worry about being shot at. Thanks for all this information!
ReplyDeleteYour African Lion Safari in Ontario, Canada would be a wonderful place to visit, Olivia. Thanks for telling me about it.
DeleteI love Lions they are so majestic and simply gorgeous. I am a little late for celebrating World Lion Day but it is good that there are days like this for raising awareness of these magnificent animals and the conservation efforts required to ensure they are still living on Earth in years to come.
ReplyDeleteLions are truly majestic animals for sure, Raintree Annie. Thanks for your visit.
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