If Lions Go Extinct, I’m Going Chuck Norris On Someone

I'm not normally a soft, emotional type. Nor am I a member of PETA. In fact, I'm on a low-carb diet, so any animal that I see gets nervous. But, I saw a story yesterday that nearly broke my heart. Lions are not far from extinction. If that's true, I'm going Chuck Norris on whoever is responsible.

NBC News.com reported this startling fact:

Africa's lions are running out of habitat and some populations, especially those in West Africa, are running toward extinction, according to a study published Tuesday.

Using new satellite data, a research team at Duke University found that about 75 percent of Africa's savannahs were fragmented by farmers and other development in the last 50 years.

One of my family's favorite destinations is the St. Louis Zoo.  And, one of the first places we visit when we get there is Big Cat Country.  It doesn't matter how many times we go by the lion enclosure, I am always in awe of the beauty and majesty of the lions there. (I, for one, am real happy they are enclosed cause one lion looks at me like I'm a big lamb chop)

In fact...how bout a rowdy sing-a-long of Hakuna Matata?!?  Here you go!

Seriously though, I want my kids to grow up in a world where they can see real lions like the ones that want to eat me.  I feel powerless to do anything about it.  Truth is, I have a hard time dressing myself in the morning.  But, if somehow this world allows lions to go the way of the hula hoop, I will be getting Chuck Norris on the speed dial for some whoopin.