The Africa Wildlife Foundation estimates the continent’s lion population at between 20,000 and 23,000, down by about 43% over two decades. Philip Muruthi, vice president for species conservation and science at the Africa Wildlife Foundation, says habitat loss and fragmentation are the biggest threats facing Kenya’s lions. “Kenya's lion populations which number about 2,500 to 2,600 face the major threat facing their conservation and their future well-being is habitat loss and fragmentation,” he says. Research in Kenya’s Maasai Mara has found that lions avoid areas used by livestock, even after the animals have left. Conservationists say poisoning often occurs when communities feel they are bearing the costs of living alongside wildlife without seeing enough benefits.