The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service warns African lions are at risk of extinction in the near future and proposes including the big cat in the Endangered Species Act.

If this proposal is approved, it will become illegal for any U.S. citizen to sell or engage in any transaction involving lions or lion parts in the U.S. or along international borders. U.S. citizens will be banned from hunting and killing the lions. This ban, however, excludes selling lions to zoos.

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The World Wildlife Fund said this proposed listing will also prevent the sale of lion parts outside the U.S., particularly in China where lion bones are sold and used as a substitute for tiger bones in health remedies.

Lion populations in Africa have been on the decline since the 1980s. There now number just 30,000 compared to 76,000  in the 1980s. Some 30 percent of the lion population lives in just 10 safe strongholds.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said even if lions are closely monitored during sport hunting, lions are more susceptible to major threats especially when they come in close contact with humans.

Ashe said the African lion has long been a symbol of majesty, courage and strength. Now, the lion's survival is being threatened by human interaction.

If the African lion is listed in the endangered species act, the U.S. will bring its resources to bear to ensure the full protection of the African lion.

U.S. hunters are still allowed to import lion trophies as long as these trophies are indigenous to other countries that have a "scientifically sound management plan" applicable to African lions.

TagsAfrican Lion Faces Near Extinction; Proposed to Protect Under US Endangered Species Act, African Lion, lions, endangered species act african lion US, endangered species