The Last Lions
50 years ago, there were nearly half-a million lions living in Africa. Today, there are approximately 20,000. Even worse is that lions are not protected by government mandates or international agreements, as elephants are much more common. This is the jumping-off point for a disturbing, well-researched and beautifully made cri de coeur from husband and wife team Dereck and Beverly Joubert, award-winning filmmakers from Botswana who have been Explorers-in-Residence at National Geographic for more than four years. The Jouberts make a strong case for the protection of lions and other “big cats” (including tigers) while pointing out poaching as the primary threat. When you consider that large cats make up the top of the food chain, and that their removal would cause ecosystem collapses for all other species below them-the urgency becomes even more urgent. The Palm Springs Internation Film Festival
