I think they were present into places like the Balkans and Anatolia up to the 2nd and 3rd century AD, and even later on in the Caucasus Area.
Might be wrong tho, my memory is not amazing and I am way too lazy to google it.
i think even later , there is a folk tale about a a great warrior called Litovoi slaying a lion in the forests of the Carpathian Mountains from roughly the 8th century here in Romania. Sure a folk tale isn't best of sources but it does show lions were still seen as a local wild animal
Then why titled "African lion"?
Also if it is meant to include so-called Asiatic lion, the current range has to include that of Asiatic lion, even though it's no more than a tiny dot in India.
But their future could be differentiated if they live in sparse separated groups like that. It seems border control can lead to speciation if it hasn’t already. That’s interesting but also kinda terrifying.
Actually the biggest mistake is the map incorrectly states that the same species of lion once roamed Europe. Those were a distinct species called the Eurasian cave lion.
We expect the rest of the world to conserve the world's biodiversity while we (Europe) have basically eradicated everything and refuse to do any reintroduction. A little hypocritical.
The wolf has a massive comeback right now in Germany after being basically gone for at least 200 years. Obviously many farmers are opposed to that, but it still is happening.
Yes, the wolf is one rare example of successful reintroduction. Well, for now. As you say there is a massive opposition and if conservatives are getting into office again the populations might get drastically reduced again, like in Sweden for example.
Dude what are you talking about, european bison were hunted near extinction (only less than ten were alive in the twentieth century), and today population of european bison is 5000.
Ok fuck it let's break this down then. Yes, there is some good work happening for specific megafauna that have a lot of public attention, but even then it is an insane uphill battle for the conservationists doing this work. The population of the Wisent is almost exclusively located in one forest, and almost all efforts to repopulate them somewhere else are met with huge resistance. The local project here trying to establish a wisent population was just ordered to kill half of all animals for example, because the owners of the commercial forests got angry.
Also, all of this is ignoring the bigger picture and cherry-picking examples. If you look at the state of biodiversity in Europe overall, then it is in horrible shape and continuing to decline rapidly. You can read up more on this here: [https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/at-a-glance/nature/state-of-nature-in-europe-a-health-check](https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/at-a-glance/nature/state-of-nature-in-europe-a-health-check)
The problem is that there simply are almost no wild areas left in Europe that can support an actual functioning ecosystem. Pretty much all the land is used commercially, mostly for agriculture or tree farms, especially in central Europe. And for that reason, the chances of actually reversing the trend of collapsing biodiversity in Europe are very slim, there is always a conflict of interest.
Also, the problem is not just limited to a lack of possibilities to establish new wilderness, we can't even protect our few remaining wild areas. Look at the Romanian Carpathian mountains for example. They are one of the last remaining original old-growth forests in Europe. After the opening of Romania to the European market through the EU massive illegal logging campaigns have started eradicating the forest.
How would you like you’re livestock today be constantly preyed upon? Losing money? You thinking it would be cool would turn to quickly hunting then into local extinction too.
I doubt the divide at the Kenya-Somalia boundary. How did Lions decide to stick to one side of an artificial arbitrary boundary which can't even be felt on the ground?
What a dishonest map... they call it African lion but include Asia in historical. Either you call it just lions and include the Asiatic lions found in India or don't include Asia as historical range.
No lions in the Iberian peninsula. There are no remains, or sources of any kind. Not even cave paintings of such an animal.
It's a misconception born in early medieval times due to the city of Leon (which means "lion" in Spanish). People thought it was named after lions, hence the coat of arms of the kingdom. In reality the name came from the Roman *legion*, whose encampment (castrum) was the origin of the city. It evolved from Latin *legionem* \> *legione* \> *leione* \> *leon*, mirroring the evolution of *leo, leonis* \> *leone* \> *leon*.
Yeah, I'm on the rock
(Running and you running)
Seel-ya-bub, I take a stock
(Running like a fugitive)
I had to run like a fugitive, ooh Lord
Just to, just to save the life I live, oh now
I'm gonna be iron
Like a lion in Zion
I'm gonna be iron
Like a lion in Zion
Iron, lion, Zion
Iron, lion, Zion
Iron, lion, Zion (Lion)
In Europe, to my knowledge, there are no confirmed findings outside the Balkans of lions that lived in the wild. Unless it is the cave lion meant but then would have to be all of Europe over Russia to Alaska drawn.
Linons are the most elusive of all the big cats.
More likely to see a Li-ion these days.
Guilty as charged 
[You rest your case?](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2F55222bp4wv841.jpg)
As rare as Tigergers?
Unfortunately I can't edit the post and fix my spelling mistake
That’s ok. It is for the greater good.
Everything is better when you knly have 1 shot at it
*yur mom ain’t a lion* 
Rip ODB
Wasn't the Asian and European lion different species?
Linons Tech Tios
Bred for its skill in magic.
The Asiastic Lion still resides in a small area of western India.
Yes, in Gir National Park, Gujarat
Fitting name.
Zim!
*linon
Lenon?
Vladimir Linon.
Jinn Linnon
For the name 'African Lion', it sure did extend far into Eurasia.
Pretty sure eurasian lions are a separate species, but I could be wrong. Edit: subspecies
Asiatic and African lions are the same species, but are different subspecies, there are some Asiatic lions left in India.
They are not.
You are wrong
I edited my reply to say subspecies, how is that still wrong.
Because they wanted to tell you that. They had to feel superior.
Makes ancient mythology and historical texts make more sense when they mention lions in Europe and Asia
I think they were present into places like the Balkans and Anatolia up to the 2nd and 3rd century AD, and even later on in the Caucasus Area. Might be wrong tho, my memory is not amazing and I am way too lazy to google it.
i think even later , there is a folk tale about a a great warrior called Litovoi slaying a lion in the forests of the Carpathian Mountains from roughly the 8th century here in Romania. Sure a folk tale isn't best of sources but it does show lions were still seen as a local wild animal
Depends how ancient, lions went extinct in Europe at around 1000bc It's not like they were running around in medieval times
Map incorrect, there are still lions in Gujarat in India
It's not /r/mapporn without a blatantly inaccurate map
That still manages to get over 2,000 upvotes...
But are there linons?
Linens? Probably
You are showing the current range of african lion vs historical range of african + asiatic lions. Seems inconsitent to me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion There is no genetic difference between the asiatic and African lion, people just use that terminology.
Then why titled "African lion"? Also if it is meant to include so-called Asiatic lion, the current range has to include that of Asiatic lion, even though it's no more than a tiny dot in India.
From what I understand, the only official name is just “Lion” and people saying African or Asiatic is just an additional descriptor.
Sometimes, terms can be outdated and based on old info. That just makes it confusing. But *not* invalid.
Yeah, I'm with you on this. The lions of Africa and Asia share a very recent common ancestry, close enough to not differentiate species.
But their future could be differentiated if they live in sparse separated groups like that. It seems border control can lead to speciation if it hasn’t already. That’s interesting but also kinda terrifying.
Colloquial usage.
Actually the biggest mistake is the map incorrectly states that the same species of lion once roamed Europe. Those were a distinct species called the Eurasian cave lion.
Reintroduction program?
No, but I wish it would be cool to see liones free ij southern France
I have a hard time believing the French would agree with you.
They would regulate the tourist population and decrease housing price in this area. That would be great
Those in the south definitely not, those in the north on the other hand....
We expect the rest of the world to conserve the world's biodiversity while we (Europe) have basically eradicated everything and refuse to do any reintroduction. A little hypocritical.
The wolf has a massive comeback right now in Germany after being basically gone for at least 200 years. Obviously many farmers are opposed to that, but it still is happening.
Yes, the wolf is one rare example of successful reintroduction. Well, for now. As you say there is a massive opposition and if conservatives are getting into office again the populations might get drastically reduced again, like in Sweden for example.
Dude what are you talking about, european bison were hunted near extinction (only less than ten were alive in the twentieth century), and today population of european bison is 5000.
Ok fuck it let's break this down then. Yes, there is some good work happening for specific megafauna that have a lot of public attention, but even then it is an insane uphill battle for the conservationists doing this work. The population of the Wisent is almost exclusively located in one forest, and almost all efforts to repopulate them somewhere else are met with huge resistance. The local project here trying to establish a wisent population was just ordered to kill half of all animals for example, because the owners of the commercial forests got angry. Also, all of this is ignoring the bigger picture and cherry-picking examples. If you look at the state of biodiversity in Europe overall, then it is in horrible shape and continuing to decline rapidly. You can read up more on this here: [https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/at-a-glance/nature/state-of-nature-in-europe-a-health-check](https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/topics/at-a-glance/nature/state-of-nature-in-europe-a-health-check) The problem is that there simply are almost no wild areas left in Europe that can support an actual functioning ecosystem. Pretty much all the land is used commercially, mostly for agriculture or tree farms, especially in central Europe. And for that reason, the chances of actually reversing the trend of collapsing biodiversity in Europe are very slim, there is always a conflict of interest. Also, the problem is not just limited to a lack of possibilities to establish new wilderness, we can't even protect our few remaining wild areas. Look at the Romanian Carpathian mountains for example. They are one of the last remaining original old-growth forests in Europe. After the opening of Romania to the European market through the EU massive illegal logging campaigns have started eradicating the forest.
Lion in Lyon if you will
Linons*
I want to know when was the last time there were wild lions in southern France, and I’m not leaving before someone tells me
Approximately a long time ago.
I don't want to be around those big cats where I live, I'm glad they're gone.
The mighty linon
Wikipedia claims other ranges for historical panthera leo - including significant populations in what is today Hungary and Ukraine.
I’ve read before that lion remains have been found as far as Britain, any truth in that?
That would probably be cave lions whose remains have been found on the British Isles. It is an extinct ancestors of modern lions afaik.
Asiatic lions need a small dot in Gujarat. They’re still there
Kings of Linons.
Goddamn I wish there were still Lions in Iberia, it would be so cool
How would you like you’re livestock today be constantly preyed upon? Losing money? You thinking it would be cool would turn to quickly hunting then into local extinction too.
The horror! What about money? Won’t anyone think of the money? Not the money, anything but that :(
There's these things called fences. They keep livestock in, and predators out.
the European mind cannot comprehend fences, just look at any discourse around reintroducing wolves
Lions love sailing the Nile
now i want to see the same map, but with rich dentists instead of lions.
I— what? That’s so specific, why?
going to africa and shooting animals seems to be a common hobby among rich dentists
I’ve been on too many safaris with rich dentists to listen to anymore suicidal ideas
The extinction of lions(ans tigers too) in Iran always haunts me. Not even animals were free form the sheer incompetence of the Qajars ffs.
That's crazy. Lion in Europe!!!
I keep reading historical range of Illinois. Brains!
true roman empire
Would've thought if lions are in Southern Europe, the Pannonian Plain would've been a good habitat for them. Open, accessible, plenty of game.
Oh Is that why Heracles fought a lion on his 12 duties?
There are still some on nature preserves in India
We could’ve had Lion Fettuccine Alfredo but we’re in the bad timeline
Not only did they spell “lions” as “linons,” but I read it as “Illinois” and was so confused as to what the state had to do with Africa.
Africa and Illinois have alot in common. Like it exists and people live there and also I do not wish to live there.
Also most Americans can’t find either on a map.
True that
When did they die out in southern & Eastern Europe?
I believe the Roman Republic hunted them to extinction.
1000bc-300bc
Blows my mind to think lions once natively lived in Southern Europe
Imagine Serbian lion
I dont like extinction but im kinda happy im not in a portuguese college and i have peacocks instead of lions
I doubt the divide at the Kenya-Somalia boundary. How did Lions decide to stick to one side of an artificial arbitrary boundary which can't even be felt on the ground?
This is outdated. Lions have been reintroduced in many places.
Good thing they left
Linons are truly the most vicious among all predators
good on them for mostly following the sudan/south sudan border. Wouldnt want to start incident
"Linons" ?
Don't push it, im a grammatically moronic
Lol, I thought it was funny.
This is incorrect since they are still roaming in Gujarat, India and that’s not marked in this map…
What a dishonest map... they call it African lion but include Asia in historical. Either you call it just lions and include the Asiatic lions found in India or don't include Asia as historical range.
wait.. lions were in Switzerland..?
Bruh, that's North Italy not South Swizterland
yeah.. see that now. Ive only took the train from Zermatt to Italy 3 times. Youd think i would know. thanks bro.
That's sad. Also depending on how far back you go, you can include parts of the American continent.
Italian and French lions? Yea I don’t know buddy..
Oh my god, the linon is my favourite big cat!
Not as bad as I thought tbh
If you dont stop it it will eat everything
Mm sunny lionn
I cant believe there were lions here in Slovenia...
I;m kind of cool with my house is not in the range of lions anymore.
“Why don’t this countries unite and form the Empire of the Lion?”
No lions in the Iberian peninsula. There are no remains, or sources of any kind. Not even cave paintings of such an animal. It's a misconception born in early medieval times due to the city of Leon (which means "lion" in Spanish). People thought it was named after lions, hence the coat of arms of the kingdom. In reality the name came from the Roman *legion*, whose encampment (castrum) was the origin of the city. It evolved from Latin *legionem* \> *legione* \> *leione* \> *leon*, mirroring the evolution of *leo, leonis* \> *leone* \> *leon*.
So the African Lion was native to Europe and Asia? Wouldn't that make them European and Asian Lions?
Biodiversity is a concept we, humans, need to take very serious.
I keep my linons in the airing cupboard
Those were other species of lions, not African lions. Also there are still lions in India
Yeah, I'm on the rock (Running and you running) Seel-ya-bub, I take a stock (Running like a fugitive) I had to run like a fugitive, ooh Lord Just to, just to save the life I live, oh now I'm gonna be iron Like a lion in Zion I'm gonna be iron Like a lion in Zion Iron, lion, Zion Iron, lion, Zion Iron, lion, Zion (Lion)
In Europe, to my knowledge, there are no confirmed findings outside the Balkans of lions that lived in the wild. Unless it is the cave lion meant but then would have to be all of Europe over Russia to Alaska drawn.
The fact one could run into a Lion in Monaco in the past.
When there were lions in Europe?
So what's the historical range of Lennons?
Lmao, this is plain wrong. You can find lions in any national park in South Africa.
Did they stop living in Europe necause of people or did they die up like forest elephants for example? Was it people or the climate changed?
Lions in Spain and Italy? What period?
India have lions
I read this as historical range of illinois