Rebecca Manzi Disney magic joins conservation to protect one of the world's most iconic animals, the lion, with the goal of doubling its population by 2050
@Lion Recovery Fund
Since Disney’s The Lion King launched in 1994, the grand lion has conquered the hearts and minds of many people all over the world. However, during the past three decades, the number of lions has been halved in Africa, a land of terrible decline for this iconic animal.
This drop is contributed by several factors including habitat loss, human-lion conflict, and wildlife crimes. Today, only about 23,000 lions remain in the wild. For their survival, efforts must be directed at the animals themselves but also at their habitats and the nearby human communities.
In this direction, the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund has supported an integrated approach since 2017. LRF works together with local and international organizations in securing lions and their prey, and coexistence of humans and wildlife.
The “Protect the Pride” campaign
The 2019 live-action release of The Lion King launched a game-changing collaboration between Disney and the Lion Recovery Fund through the global campaign “Protect the Pride“, raising awareness of, and funds for, lion conservation. More than 300 projects in 25 countries have been financed as a result. This has prevented further decline in several key lion landscapes and even stimulated growth in some.
Building on this momentum, Disney and the LRF have renewed their collaboration with the release of Mufasa: The Lion King. The revitalized “Protect the Pride” campaign has the ambitious goal of doubling Africa’s lion population by 2050. Funds raised will support conservation groups, governments, and local communities, fostering long-term benefits for lions, landscapes, and people alike.
For more than 20 years, the Disney Conservation Fund has been a cornerstone of global conservation efforts. By linking one of its most beloved stories, The Lion King, with real-world preservation efforts, Disney is inspiring millions to join a critical cause. This vision seeks to create a future where lions and humans can thrive together, ensuring that the King of Beasts continues to reign in the wild.
