Although we have no reliable data on Africa-wide lion populations prior to the late 20th century, there is wide agreement that numbers have been in steady decline, and are no doubt at an all-time low; estimates based on local experts' best guesses and estimates range between 16,500 and 47,000. Lions have been totally eliminated in North Africa, and only relict populations remain in West and Central Africa (ibid). Half of the remaining population is in one country, Tanzania, and smaller viable populations remain in Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia.