A Lion Named Luke

A Lion Named Luke Photo

In Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park, WCS conservationists monitor elephants, hyenas, and lions, including this young member of the delta pride. The researchers call him Luke; he is part of the “L” litter, along with brother and sister Lawrence and Laura.

Despite their powerful reputations, wild lions are losing ground everywhere. Scientists estimate that not long ago 200,000 lions roamed Africa and Asia, but today fewer than 30,000 remain. In the next 10 years, conservationists worry they could vanish from strongholds like Uganda—a country that counts on them as a major tourist draw and a boon to the developing economy.

On Saturday, April 28, thousands of runners and walkers will support lions like Luke during the annual WCS Run for the Wild at the Bronx Zoo.

Tutilo Mudumba