Tanzania's lion population has reached about 17,000, the largest in the world, an official said on Monday.

Tanzanian Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism Hassan Abbasi made the announcement during talks with Uganda's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Doreen Katusiime, who is leading a delegation on a study tour in Tanzania.

The visit is part of a knowledge-sharing program aimed at exchanging experiences on combating poaching and illegal wildlife trade among countries implementing similar conservation projects.

Abbasi said that Tanzania's conservation efforts have led to a significant decline in poaching and a steady recovery of wildlife populations, particularly lions.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in wildlife conservation, tourism and natural resource management to boost the sectors' contribution to sustainable development.