This study looked at how trophy hunting affects lions in the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) ecosystem, the last major stronghold for lions in West Africa. Researchers tracked lion hunting over 15 years (1999–2014) across areas where hunting is allowed. They found that lion hunting was generally stable and did not lead to a drop in lion numbers. Lion populations were similar in both protected parks and hunting areas, and there was no evidence that responsible hunting reduced lion densities or harmed the overall population. The study suggests that controlled hunting, with low quotas, can be sustainable and helps support lion conservation by giving local communities a reason to protect them.
