Cape Lion
July 16, 2007
The Cape Lion, Panthera leo melanochaitus, is an extinct wild subspecies of lion. The Cape Lion was not the only subspecies in South Africa, and its range is unclear. It was primarily found in Cape Province around Cape Town. The last Cape Lion seen in the province was killed in 1858.
There are claims of people today that have captive Cape lions, although it is unclear how pure bred these are as many lions that are kept in captivity have been crossbred with many other dark-haired lions. True Cape lions had a huge mane that extended beyond the shoulders and covered the belly and dark tipped ears.