Distribution: Angolan/Katangan Lion – Angola, northern Namibia, western Zambia, and Katanga (south-eastern D.R.C.).

Masai Lion – Northern Mozambique, eastern Zambia, Tanznia, except the north-west and Kenya.

Size: SH: 1.2m. W: 250kg

W 122-182kg (female), 150-260kg (male).

Description: Except for the disputes regarding the subspecies of Lion, there are twenty six scientific descriptions of the Lion, including the Asian varieties. The African subspecies are, excluding the extinct ones: Congo Lion, Kamtz’s Lion, Katangan Lion, Kalahari Lion, Masai Lion, North Eastern Lion, Nubian Lion, Roosevelt’s Lion, Senegalese Lion, Somali Lion, South African Lion.

The main difference between the subspecies are the body size and the amount of mane.

 The largest of the cats, ranging in colour from nearly white to deep ochre brown. The commonest colour is tawny yellow, but ash grey is not uncommon.

Angolan/Katangan Lion – Known for their big black and full manes and big bodies.

Masai Lion – Also very big in body size, in general their mane is not as big and full as the Angolan.

Sex Determination: Males develop thick woolly manes that vary individually in colour and extent. Leopard-like rosettes are characteristic of the young. Both sexes roar (males more loudly).

Trophy Assessment: Most common signs to look for is heavy developed head, black nose (not always a sure sign but a good indication) short whiskers and big and heavy body and mostly well-developed mane.

Shot Placement: When broadside the best shot is on the shoulder (even though the heart sits behind the shoulder) it is better to break both front shoulder bones and hit the lungs, Frontal sitting shot is most of the time a risky shot for the novice hunter.