Balala launches lion sculptures exhibition at Nairobi National Park
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has launched lion sculptures exhibition at Nairobi National Park.
The sculptures, according to Balala, are by the most talented Kenyan artists Peterson Kamwathi and Beatrice Wanjiku.
Speaking during the launch on World Lion Day, Balala said the lion population in the country has been recovering from a low of 1,970 in 2008 to 2,589 in 2021, according to our just concluded National Wildlife Census.
“This is still low, and we need to continue with our efforts to increase their population. The lion is a powerful animal, ingrained in our Kenyan culture,” said Balala.
“Kenya’s Coat of Arms features 2 lions as a symbol of protection. Kenya’s Coat of Arms features 2 lions as a symbol of protection.”
The event was organised under the auspices of the tusk organization in partnership with KCB Group and Safaricom.
World Lion Day is celebrated on August 10 of every year to raise awareness about lions and to mobilise support for their protection and conservation.
According to the World Wide Fund for animals (WWF), even though a lion is often referred to as the “king of the jungle,” it actually only lives in grasslands and plains.
The initiative to protect the big cats started in 2013 and the first World Lion Day was celebrated that year.
Since then, it has become a symbol in the fight to protect the majestic species.
According to the WWF, lions were once found throughout Africa, Asia and Europe but their numbers have dwindled over the years in these continents.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, have found out that lions are a “vulnerable” species, meaning that their numbers could and should be higher.
Currently, researchers estimate that there are between 30,000 and 100,000 lions left on planet Earth.
Without significant intervention, there is a chance that they could find themselves on the endangered list alongside other species most at risk of extinction.
World Lion Day, therefore, is an opportunity for lion lovers all over the planet to push back against the decline in the range and habitat of the king of beasts.
These giant animals are among the world’s largest land species and an apex predator with a reputation like no other.
It would be a tragic loss for both nature and humanity if the species were to disappear entirely from the natural environment.
