The Moroccan Atlas lion, the identity of an entire nation

After their incredible performance at the World Cup in Qatar, many fans prefer to refer to the Moroccan national team as the “Atlas Lions,” praising them for their great bravery and for “dominating” a group of strong teams during the competition. However, many do not know the name’s meaning or origin.

As with the various major football competitions around the world, the football supporter will hear a range of titles with national, historical or nature-inspired connotations and symbols associated with specific national teams.

The Atlas lion, which Moroccans adopt as their country’s emblem, is named after the region from which it originates (The Atlas mountains).

It is the largest subspecies of lion. It can measure up to 3.60 m in length (including the tail) and 1.20 m in height, and weigh up to 240 kg. As a comparison, an African lion can weigh up to 215 kg approximately.It can be recognised by its very thick, slightly tousled, very dark, almost black mane.

Scientific studies have shown that the colour of a lion’s mane can vary; today, DNA tests are used to determine whether a lion is an Atlas lion.

This breed of lions became extinct in the wild in the early twentieth century due to poaching and the destruction of their range.

While this animal was very abundant in ancient times and populated many parts of Morocco until the 19th century, it first took refuge in the forested mountainous areas and the North-Saharan fringe. Rapidly decimated by European hunters, it survived until the 1920s in the Middle Atlas, with one last individual reported in 1930.

However, Rabat Zoo hosts a large group of Moroccan Atlas lions in order to preserve this animal breed, which is considered a symbol of breeding in Morocco. The zoo has been preserving a population of about 22 lions for several years, and has also set up a special conservation plan for the endangered species.

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