Lions face extinction in West Africa after study reveals 'catastrophic collapse' due to shrinking habitat New survey conducted over six years in 11 countries It found the species in areas covering just 1% of their previous territory Researchers had thought they would find lions in 21 territories But when they surveyed the area could only find them in four The West African Lion is facing imminent extinction after a "catastrophic collapse" in numbers has left just 400 in the region, a new survey has found. The survey, conducted over six years in 11 countries, found the species - which is genetically distinct from other lions - in shrinking areas covering just one per cent of their previous territory. Researchers thought they would find lions in 21 territories - but when they surveyed the area could only find them in four. There were only 250 lions of breeding age. Critically endangered: Lions are facing extinction in West Africa after a 'catastrophic collapse' in numbers has left just 400 in the region, according to a six year survey (file picture) Dr Philipp Henschel, lead author of the research published in journal PLOS One, said: "When we set out in 2006 to survey all the lions of West Africa, the best reports suggested they still survived in 21 protected areas. We surveyed all of them, representing the best remaining lion habitat in West Africa. Our results came as a complete shock - all but a few of the areas we surveyed were basically paper parks, having neither management budgets nor patrol staff, and had lost all their lions and other iconic large mammals. The research, conducted with conservation charity Panthera, found there were just four lion populations left, living in Senegal, Nigeria and an area on the borders of Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso. Lions have disappeared across Africa as human populations and their livestock herds have grown, competing for land with lions and other wildlife. Panthera president Dr Luke Hunter, who co-authored the paper, said: "Lions have undergone a catastrophic collapse in West Africa. The countries that have managed to retain them are struggling with pervasive poverty and very little funding for conservation. To save the lion - and many other critically endangered mammals including unique populations of cheetahs, African wild dogs and elephants - will require a massive commitment of resources from the international community.