Lion cubs hiding in tall grass in the Kalahari Desert, Botswana

© Jami Tarris/Getty Image

Kings of the Kalahari

We're celebrating World Lion Day with these two lion cubs in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. The young cats may be cute and cuddly now, but they’ll soon grow up to be one of the most powerful and majestic animals in the world. The predominant predator in the region, Kalahari lions cover vast territories including harsh shrublands and desert. As prey is scarce, Kalahari lions travel in smaller prides and often travel long distances in search of their next meal.

As of 2015, lions were listed as vulnerable and placed on the World Conservation Union Red List of Threatened Species. World Lion Day supports and promotes organisations and conservation efforts that address the dwindling wild lion population.