The Atlas Lion or Barbary Lion is a subspecies of lions that once roamed the Atlas Mountains. It is believed to have gone extinct in Morocco in the mid-20ᵗʰ century.

The **Atlas Lions** were known for their strength and ferocity, which they derived from the rugged nature of the Atlas Mountains where they lived. Here, we are speaking of a Moroccan Barbary Lion that has a unique imprint in the world of lion subspecies. This distinctive mark led the Moroccan state to place the lion on its emblem as a symbol of strength and royalty. The national football team was also named the **Atlas Lions** in homage to this fierce creature that once roamed the land.

In its final season, the documentary program **Amouddou** dedicated part of its episodes to the search for the Barbary Leopard, based on evidence and eyewitness accounts of those who had encountered its footprints near Zaouiat Cheikh. The **Amouddou** team then moved to the location, mobilizing all their resources in an attempt to document its presence on camera. During this arduous search for the Barbary Leopard, and with news spreading that **Amouddou** was on the hunt for the leopard, the team received a surprising phone call from someone claiming to have seen the king of the jungle himself: yes, the Moroccan Barbary Lion in the Atlas Mountains. This marked the beginning of a new search adventure... (Video: The Search for the Atlas Lion Witness)

For us, the presence of the lion in the Atlas Mountains is not out of the question. If this presence is documented on camera, it would be a historic and remarkable achievement.
What about you? Do you expect the Atlas Lion to still be present in the mountains and forests of Morocco?