Average life span of a lion is not very long but it depends on its habitat. On the average, the life span of a lion ranges about 14 to 15 years. A lion can live for more than 15 to 20 years in captivity while in wild; it lives for 10 to 14 years. It also noted that male lions live for only 10 years in wild while female lions live longer. There are several reasons of short life of male lions in the wild, which predominantly includes fighting with other lions and other animals to protect its clan. It is the reason that lioness (female lions) are greater in number than males and they hunt together by forming groups. Lions of different species living in different regions do not have any major differences in age. The life span of lions even on different geographical locations is almost similar.

Wild lions are categorized as endangered animals and their population is declining with time. Compared to the number of lions two decades ago, the number of lions has decreased 30 to 50% as of today. A World Conservation Union Lion Strategy Workshop was conducted in 2006 and during this workshop, three major problems relating to dwindling number of lions were discussed. It was also resolute that Lions be given the status of endangered species.