NIGERIA-LIFESTYLE-TRAVEL-TOURISM-ENVIRONMENT

A picture taken overnight on March 4, 2016 shows a ranger looking at the ground in search of lion tracks or signs during a lion survey conducted at Yankari Game Reserve in northeastern Nigeria. West African lions are genetically distinct from their southern and eastern counterparts and face possible extinction due to habitat loss, lack of prey and animal/human conflict. With an estimated 35 lions of the West African subspecies living in two protected natural areas in Nigeria, and ever-diminishing genetic diversity, lion conservation in Nigeria face a unique challenge. / AFP / STEFAN HEUNIS (Photo credit should read STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP via Getty Images)