The scientific name of the African lion is Panthera leo. More specifically, the African lion populations in Southern and East Africa are classified as the subspecies Panthera leo melanochaita

. In summary:

• Species: Panthera leo
• Subspecies (Southern and East African lion): Panthera leo melanochaita

This classification reflects recent taxonomic revisions that group lions in Africa into two main subspecies, with Panthera leo melanochaita representing the southern and eastern African lions, distinct from Panthera leo leo, which includes lions from West Africa, Central Africa, and India