The Barbary lion, also known as the Atlas lion, was native to North Africa, specifically the Barbary Coast. This subspecies of lion was known for its large size and dark mane, which extended down its chest. Unfortunately, the Barbary lion is believed to be extinct in the wild, with the last known sightings occurring in the mid-20th century. Efforts are now being made to reintroduce a lion subspecies with similar genetic characteristics back into the region, but it is uncertain if this will truly bring the Barbary lion back from extinction.