Supposedly the deforestation affected them indirectly by causing drought conditions in their hunting areas. I am thinking that those would be the savanna/grasslands. However, in drought conditions, everything doesn't just instantly die off. There are typically a lot of weak/thirsty/malnourished animals about. At times like that, predators like lions have easy pickings. Methinks there is some other causal factor for these events.
Me too,Something like....lack of lion hunting.