Female lion in Amboseli National Park, west of Namanga, Kenya

In 2008 there are approximately 60 lions in and around Amboseli National Park over a 580 square kilometre area, and most of the year there are 40 lions actually within the park. A stable population of 60 lions will have three to five maned lions, three to five sub-adult males, 25 to 30 females, and 22 to 27 juveniles and cubs (Schaller). A male lion will have grown an acceptable mane by the time it is four years old and can be expected to survive in good condition until it is about twelve. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for Life magazine and traveled to Africa from August 18, 1959 to December 20, 1959.