Moroccan Officials Debunk Rumors of Extinct Atlas Lion Sightings

The National Agency of Waters and Forests (ANEF) is trying to put an end to the rumors about the reappearance near Khénifra of an Atlas lion. On Tuesday, in a press release, it ruled out the hypothesis of lion attacks in the regions of Khénifra (commune of Sebt Ait Rahou, Ait Boukhayou tribe) and Oulmès (Tifoughaline and Bouquachmir forests), reports La MAP. Many testimonies had been collected on this subject. To reach this conclusion, the ANEF says it has carried out an in-depth field reconnaissance mission. The local authorities and the Royal Gendarmerie have been involved.

Field research aimed at locating traces in the reported localities and neighboring areas, as well as collecting additional information from resource persons, have been conducted. The analysis of the footprints discovered in the neighboring natural areas shows that they belong to specimens of the canidae family, probably a dog or a North African golden jackal.

The ANEF also states that the autopsy performed on a lamb in Oulmès, allegedly attacked by a lion according to local testimonies, revealed that the bite marks do not correspond to those of a lion. These bites "are relatively small, thus excluding any involvement on the part of a large feline and corresponding rather to a canid," it explains. The drone sweep carried out according to a flight plan covering the forests bordering the testimony areas also proved unsuccessful.

The ANEF adds that its teams are continuing their field investigations and remain attentive to any testimony or observation of wild animals in order to verify their veracity and act accordingly.