Lions face enormous obstacles to their survival. It's hard to imagine how such a powerful animal could face a threat however they do, mostly in the form of habitat loss and trophy hunting. These magnificent animals once roamed all across the African continent but are now restricted to small habitats mostly in Botswana and Kenya and South Africa. It is estimated there are only about 20,000 animals left in the whole of Africa where at the beginning of the 20th century the population was as high as 400,000. For me they represent the tragedy of declining wildlife worldwide. The painting is a statement piece, a focal point for a room with definite African theme.