Asian Lion

## Description

The Asiatic lion is a population of Panthera leo leo that today survives in the wild only in India. Since the turn of the 20th century, its range has been restricted to Gir National Park and the surrounding areas in the Indian state of Gujarat. Historically, it inhabited much of the Middle East to northern India.

The first scientific description of the Asiatic lion was published in 1826 by the Austrian zoologist Johann N. Meyer, who named it Felis leo persicus. On the IUCN Red List, it is listed under its former scientific name Panthera leo persica as Endangered because of its small population size and area of occupancy. Until the 19th century, it occurred in Saudi Arabia, eastern Turkey, Iran, Mesopotamia, Pakistan, and from east of the Indus River to Bengal and the Narmada River in Central India.

The population has steadily increased since 2010. In May 2015, the 14th Asiatic Lion Census was conducted over an area of about 20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi); the lion population was estimated at 523 individuals, comprising 109 adult males, 201 adult females and 213 cubs. In August 2017, surveyors counted 650 wild lions. In June 2020, an estimation exercise counted 674 Asiatic lions in the Gir forest region, an increase of 29% over the 2015 census figure.

The lion is one of five pantherine cats native to India, along with the Bengal tiger (*P. tigris tigris* ), Indian leopard (*P. pardus fusca* ), snow leopard (*P. uncia* ) and clouded leopard (*Neofelis nebulosa* ). It was also known as the **Indian lion** and the **Persian lion**.

## Appearance

The Asian lion is a species of large cat. These lions are predators, quite similar to African lions both in appearance and size. However, they are slightly smaller compared to their African relatives. Other notable differences include: tassels on the end of their tails as well as bunches of hair on their elbows are longer than these of African lions; unlike their African cousins, Asian lions are clearly identified by long folds of skin, stretched along their bellies; their manes are shorter than these of African lions, so the ears are seen. Being cats, Asian lions possess strong retractable claws and sharp canine teeth. The color of their fur varies from buffish-grey with occasional silvery tones, to ruddy-tawny, covered with black spots.

## Distribution

The Gir Forest in Gujarat (India) is the major area of Asian lions’ distribution. In fact, Wildlife Sanctuary (Western Gujarat) and dry deciduous forest of Gir National Park is currently the only habitat of these animals.

## Behavior

The Asian lion is a sociable and communicative animal. These lions congregate into small social units called prides. The prides can contain only 2 adult females whereas those of African lions may include 4-6 adult females. The largest unit of Asian lionesses, ever recorded, consisted of just 5 females. However, male lions are not as sociable as females, joining the pride mainly for mating and on a large kill. Although hunting takes cooperation, adult males don’t tend to take part in it. In areas with little vegetation lions go hunting at night while in areas with thick vegetation they can hunt during the daytime. These lions are comparably passive for most of the day: they can rest and sleep 20 hours per day.

## Diet

The Asiatic lions are carnivores. They mainly feed on wild boars, buffaloes, antelopes, and deer. They also regularly visit specific sites within the protected area to scavenge on dead livestock dumped by Maldhari livestock herders.

## Reproduction

They are polygynous, meaning that a male can mate with more than one female. There’s no mating season for the Asian lions; they mate at any time of year. The period of gestation lasts from 100 to 119 days with intervals of 18-26 months between births. As a general rule, the female gives birth to 1-6 cubs. Young start eating meat, when they reach 3 months of age. However, they keep on suckling for another 3 months thus being breastfed for up to 6 months. The cubs learn hunting for 9 months, becoming independent at the age of 1 year. Males reach maturity at 5 years old while females – a little earlier – at 3-4 years old.

## Population

### Population threats

Due to existing as a single subpopulation, these animals are threatened with potential extinction from any unexpected event – epidemic, forest fire etc. Poaching is another threat to the Asian lions’ population. Fences, electrified by farmers in their fields for protection from grazers, are dangerous for lions in the area. In addition, there are about 20.000 well shafts, dug in the area, surrounding Gir Forest National Park. Incidents of lions, fallen into these wells, have already taken place.

### Population number

In the IUCN Red List, the Asian lion is listed as Endangered species; however, it’s mentioned as stable. The total number of population is about 350 individuals, including 175 mature animals. About 100 individuals of Asian lions live outside the protected area of Gir Forest.

### Ecological niche

In their home range, these lions are the top predators. Asian lions regulate prey species population in the area. At the same time, their role as the regulators of prey species population is less important than the role of food availability.

## Fun Facts for Kids

These lions spend about 20 hours a day resting and sleeping. The rest of the day male lions spend patrolling their territories.

Asian lions prefer hunting in the nighttime, when it’s most easy to catch prey.

Lion is the national animal of Singapore, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Bulgaria and other countries.

Mane of a lion is a mark of its age: old lions have a darker mane.

The largest share of the prey always goes to the male while females eat leftovers.

Female lions are highly devoted to their prides. They can leave the pride only in extreme circumstances such as absence of prey to catch and feed their cubs.

Old males, that can’t hunt anymore or compete with young males of other prides, are excluded from the pride.

The closest relatives of lions are tigers: without fur, these two look almost the same, and only an expert can distinguish them from one another.