Federal authorities yesterday proposed to put the African lion under US protection by placing the animals on the endangered species list.

The federal agency reported that two thirds of African lions over a number of territories on the African continent have vanished over the past half century, according to a statement from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

"The African lion, a symbol of majesty, courage and strength, faces serious threats to its long-term survival," said Dan Ashe, director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. "Putting the lions in endangered species will give these animals all the protections of US law for their preservation, to strengthen controls and monitoring of imports and international trade."

Listing the African Lion would keep US citizens, and other people, from selling Lions across state and/or international borders. 

The proposal wouldn't apply to zoos however. It would make it illegal to hunt or kill captive lions in the U.S. if you don't have a permit.

U.S. citizens also wouldn't legally be allowed to sell lions or lion parts across state or international borders, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Fish and Wildlife Service has said that the new rule will not stop US hunters from importing lions that they had killed in Africa as trophies, as long as they have permits from countries.

The African lion population has dropped from 76,000 to 30,000 since 1980. Though Americans kill most of the African lions, hunting is not main reason behind the dwindling numbers. A loss of habitat is also not the issue, it is actually a lack of prey and an "increased conflict with humans."

"Lions are declining in numbers rapidly unless we do something about it," said Ashe. "This (endangered species) designation would ultimately aid in helping the Lions by building existing Lion conservation programs in Africa by adding motivation and incentive to cooperate and galvanize opinions that Lions are in trouble." 

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