The last of the Moroccan Atlas lions.
This photo shows one of the last of the Atlas lions, a subspecies that became extinct in 1942. These majestic lions are native to Morocco in the Atlas Mountains, and were captured by the Romans and used in veneration displays and executions of prisoners...
They were known for their large size and strength, outnumbering modern lions, and their presence in arenas must have been terrifying to spectators at the time...
The story of the Atlas lions reflects the complex relationship between man and animal in the past, when wildlife played different roles in society and entertainment