The lion (Panthera leo) is a species in the family Felidae and a member of the genus Panthera. The lion typically inhabits grasslands and savannahs, but is absent in dense forest. The Southern African lion (Panthera leo melanochaita) is a lion subspecies in Southern Africa. Lion populations in intensively managed protected areas in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have increased since the turn of the century. (wikipedia.org)