As the world marks International Lion Day, Akagera National Park has announced a remarkable growth in its lion population, which has risen from just seven in 2015 to 62 today.
According to the park’s management, in a statement posted on X on August 10, 2025, lions had been absent from Akagera for over 20 years before being reintroduced through a collaborative effort between the Government of Rwanda and various conservation partners. At that time, five females and two males were brought in, with the goal of restoring this iconic predator to its natural habitat.
Since then, dedicated conservation efforts, including protection measures and maintaining a healthy, spacious environment, have allowed the lions to thrive and reproduce successfully. Over the past decade, the population has grown steadily, reaching 62.
Established in 1934, Akagera National Park covers 1,120 square kilometers and is one of the most important wildlife reserves in East Africa. It is home to the famous “Big Five”: lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceroses, and buffaloes.
International Lion Day, first celebrated in 2013, aims to raise global awareness of the importance of lions, promote their conservation, and combat threats that endanger their survival.
