Asiatic Lion

News: A study reveals Asiatic Lions in Gujarat coexist with humans through mutual adaptation, legal protection, economic incentives among others.

About Asiatic Lion

1. The Asiatic Lion, also called the Persian Lion or Indian Lion, is a subspecies of Panthera leo leo found only in India.

2. Habitat– They are confined to the Gir National Park and wildlife sanctuary and its surrounding environments in Gujarat’s Saurashtra district.

3. Characteristics:

• Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions
• In contrast to African Lion, Asiatic Lion has a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.
• The fur color ranges from rudy tawny with black speckles to sandy or buff-grey, sometimes with a silvery sheen in certain lights.
• Males have only moderate mane growth at the top of the head, so that their ears are always visible.

4. Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I

About Gir National Park

• Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat.
• The Gir Forests is the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions.
• It was designated as a sanctuary in 1965 and a national park in 1975.
• The Gir Forest is the largest contiguous stretch of dry deciduous forests in western India’s semi-arid region.
• Gir is closely associated with the “Maldharis,” a traditional pastoral community that has lived in harmony with the lions for generations. Their settlements are called “nesses“.