Last year we introduced you to our enchanting series of conservation bedtime stories. In the first instalment, we journeyed with our little ones through the world of pangolins and African wild dogs. Now, in the latest story, “Africa – the last outpost of natural heritage”, we shed light on the lion and the lightning-fast cheetah. As you embark on this bedtime story with your little one, consider The Boucher Legacy and help us support these incredible mammals.

Africa – the last outpost of natural heritage. 

The Lion: 

Lions are becoming increasingly vulnerable driven by human greed and loss of habitat through land invasions. Lions have reduced in population from around 200 000 over the past century to around 30 000, and are extinct in 26 African countries where they used to roam freely, facing total extinction by 2050.

The 3 main threats currently facing lions include habitat loss, loss of their prey base to the bushmeat trade, and human-lion conflict. The human factor is centred around trophy hunting and rituals, and beliefs whereby the bones are dropped into rice wine vats and sold as tiger bone wine which is promoted in Asian markets as a treatment for rheumatism and impotence.

The Cheetah:

The Cheetah is built for speed. Its legs are relatively long compared to its greyhound-like body; it has a big heart and lungs and wide nasal passages. It is the fastest land animal, timed running at speeds of up to 114km/h. 

Numbers are disturbingly low and continue to drop. The conservation status is critically endangered. Human encroachment is the greatest threat with natural habitat becoming reduced and also the threat of other predators particularly on young cubs. Cheetahs are also considered a problem for farmers when it comes to livestock and are therefore under threat in these communities.

So, as you tuck in your little ones tonight, know that your bedtime tales contribute to our initiative. Let’s ensure the legacy continues, the stories thrive, and these majestic creatures find a future in our wild heritage. Sleep tight, and thanks for joining us on this important journey!