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As Disney prepares to release the re-make of its much loved classic The Lion King in July, conservationists are taking the opportunity to issue a sobering reminder that, in the 25 years since the release of the original movie, Africa has lost half of its wild lions.

Habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade, poaching and human-lion conflict threaten lions across Africa. However, the powerful cats are a resilient species and it is possible to stem the tide if these key issues are addressed.

To mark the re-release of the movie, Disney has thrown its support behind the Lion Recovery Fund (LRF), an initiative that aims to double the amount of lions by 2050. In partnership with the Lion Recovery Fund, Africa’s leading ecotourism operators, &Beyond, Conservation Travel Foundation by Ultimate Safaris, Singita and Wilderness Safaris, have joined forces to launch the Lionscape Coalition. This innovative initiative has seen four commercial competitors come together to help secure a future for Africa’s lions and the landscapes they inhabit.

To aid in raising funds towards lion conservation, andBeyond has launched the Kings of the Jungle itinerary, a real-life Lion King journey filled with the captivating characters and expansive landscapes celebrated in the Disney classic. The itinerary traverses the celebrated safari landscapes of East Africa, from Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara to Tanzania’s renowned Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.

Not only does the Kings of the Jungle itinerary include the opportunity to take part in participative lion conservation experiences such as the KopeLion project, a beneficiary of the LRF, but a donation is also made to the fund for every tour sold.

To find out more about the Kings of the Jungle itinerary or andBeyond’s role as part of the Lionscape Coalition, log on to www.andBeyond.com or speak to your preferred travel provider.