• It is the second-largest living big cat after the tiger
• Males are unique among the cat species for their thick mane of brown or black hair encircling their head and neck
• The mane darkens with age, and the thicker and darker a mane is the healthier the cat. 

CHALLENGES

• Humans are pushing big cats out if their habitat
• Human-wildlife conflict is a major threat
• They are hunted by humans