Asiatic Lion

## About

A male Asiatic lion.

The Asiatic lion ***(Panthera leo leo)*** also commonly known as the Persian lion, is a subspecies of lion that was once native across Southern Asian regions. In 2017 the Asiatic lion was subsumed to "Panther leo leo" due to close molecular and morphological similarities between it and the Barbary lion ***(Panthera leo leo)***. Despite this change, many still refer to the Asiatic lion as "Panthera leo persica". Asiatic lions appear much less bulky compared to their African relatives, having a noticeably smaller and lighter frame, as well as a reduced mane in most males. The fur of the Asiatic lion is short and golden coloured however, typically the manes of the males are a much darker brown or even black. Similarly to other large cats, Asiatic lion cubs are born with blur or green eyes, which eventually develop into a golden yellow colour in adulthood. Faint patterning can be found on the lower limbs of Asiatic lions in the form of brown spots and stripes. One of the most identifiable features of the Asiatic lion is the longitudinal fold of skin that is present on their underbelly, which is only found on this subspecies. Comparatively to African lion subspecies, male Asiatic lions have a far less extravagant mane that is darker in colour. The mane is typically so reduced that the ears of the lion are visible. Asiatic lions are also notably smaller than their African counterparts, with males only measuring up to 1.7-2.5m (5.5-8.2ft) (including the tail). and weigh 160-190kg (352-418lbs). Females grow to 1.4-1.75m (4.5-5.74ft) and weigh 110-120kg (242-264lbs). both sexes typically stand 110cm (3.5ft) at shoulder height. Despite being a smaller lion subspecies, males are still far larger and heavier than females.

## Diet

As an apex predator, Asiatic lions prey on many species of large ungulate that are present in their environment. This diet includes; sambar deer ***(Rusa unicolor)***, chital ***(Axis axis)***, antelope species and wild boar ***(Sus scrofa)***. Asiatic lions have also been known to prey upon cattle and other livestock. This has lead to human-wildlife conflict as farmers attempt to eradicate lions that cause livestock casualties.

## Conservation Status

Asiatic lions have always faced trophy hunting throughout their range however, almost the entire remaining lion population occurs within the bounds of the Gir Conservation Area (GCA). The GCA is comprised of Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary and Pania Sanctuary and spans 20,000km2 (12,427mi2) of essential lion habitat. The GCA is almost certainly the core habitat for the Asiatic lion and individuals within the bounds of the GCA are protected under law and cannot be poached or exploited. Despite the protection that the GCA provides, more than 200 Asiatic lions occur outside of the bounds of the GCA according to WWF. Due to the Asiatic lion's small available habitat and small population, inbreeding within the restricted gene pool may cause a problem for the future populations. One of the rarer causes of death in Asiatic lions is the event in which a lion falls down one of the many unguarded wells that lines the perimeter of the GCA. These casualties are fortunately becoming more and more rare, as WWF supported the barricading of 180 of these hazardous wells. One of the more serious threats to the survival of the Asiatic lion is the continued development of railways and roads in its habitat. Currently, three major railways and roads pass through the GCA, which present possible threats to the lions through vehicle-caused casualties. Three large religious temples are located within the GCA that attract groups of pilgrims, which may increase in population depending on the time of year. Though currently human-wildlife conflict is low, changing lifestyles in the region may cause conflict to increase. Through continued conservation efforts such as protecting valuable habitats and the barricading of wells, Asiatic lions are no longer listed as critically endangered, now being listed as endangered.

## Range and Population

Asiatic lions currently only occur in the Gujurat forest region of India, in the previously established GCA. The GCA is a long spanning wilderness of grassland and shrubland however, forested areas do exist in the region and play a large role in the available lion habitat. Due to the lion's small range however, inbreeding could become a very real threat to the genetic integrity of the species when paired with the lion's small population. Though the Asiatic lion population has been limited to around 674 individuals, the population remains to increase due to the efforts made by the Indian government in partnership with multiple conservation organisations. The conservation efforts provided for the Asiatic lion have actually been so successful that the Indian government declared that in 2020 the population had increased by 29% in the previous five years. In the more distant past, the Asiatic lion was much more widespread, being distributed in a massive range that encompassed much of south Asia in countries like Pakistan, Southern India and Iran as well as the Middle East through Iraq and the Arabian peninsula. The Asiatic lion's historic range even stretched out of Asia, and the subspecies is thought to have been prevalent in Southeastern Europe in Greece, North Macedonia, Albania and Türkiye. Particularly in Iran, the Asiatic lion has remained an incredibly important symbol for the country, being represented on the flag of Persia until the years proceeding the Iranian revolution. The Asiatic lion even remains the national animal. Unfortunately due to the rising use of firearms in the Middle East and Iran during the 19th century, the Asiatic lion faced extinction in the region and the last lion in the region was poached during 1918 in Iraq.

## Behaviour

Similarly to African lions, Asiatic lions live in groups known as prides. Asiatic lion prides can be comprised usually of a male and two females (as well as cubs), making Asiatic lion prides considerably smaller than African lion prides. The dynamics of a pride are also similar to African lions, with lionesses all being blood related. Female cubs will remain a part of the pride however, males will leave at a young age in order to conquer a new pride from a weaker male. Despite the small sizes of the prides, coalitions of up to six lionesses have been observed in the wild. Comparatively to the lionesses of the pride, male Asiatic lions are much less social, only associating with their pride during hunting a particularly large prey animal or when mating with a lioness. Male Asiatic lions also rarely participate in cooperative hunting, another similar feature of other lion subspecies. Asiatic lions are nocturnal, preferring to rest in shaded areas during daytime hours, hunting at nightfall. Asiatic lions may spend upwards of 20 hours resting until hunting. Being nocturnal ambush predators, Asiatic lions will stalk their prey during the night, when visibility is decreased. Once in position, a lioness will charge its prey, aiming to incapacitate it by crushing its windpipe through the means of a powerful bite. Only about one in four charges ends in a successful kill for the lion. Asiatic lions do not have a designated seasonal mating season and instead breed all year round. Male Asiatic lions will become sexually mature at age five and lionesses at age four. After a gestation period of 100-119 days, a litter of up to six cubs are born. Cubs will begin eating meat at around three months of age, but will continue to suckle until they are six months old. Cubs will finally become mature at three-four years old. Unfortunately, cub mortality is extremely high, with up to 80% of cubs dying before age two, according to AnimalCorner.org.

### Relationship with Humans

When compared to African lions, Asiatic lions are said to be less aggressive towards humans, only becoming agitated when provoked, starving or when mating or defending cubs. Asiatic lions have been found to wander markets at night when human activity is at a low, feeding on discarded carcasses and food waste. The lions do also interact with humans in a more direct manner, in that individuals that live closer to rural Indian towns may prey upon the livestock of farmers. Though these farmers have remained resilient against the lions, continued losses in livestock numbers could result in a loss of tolerance for the lions and possible retaliation in the form of hunting. In conclusion, though human-wildlife conflict is low between the local population and the Asiatic lions, rising human development in Gujurat and changes in lifestyle, could eventually be detrimental to the lion population.

## In Captivity

Though Asiatic lions cannot be found currently in any American zoos, the species has become very popular in European institutes. Currently the Asiatic lion can be found in zoos in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, France and many more. Possibly the most well known of the zoos that houses Asiatic lions is the Tehran zoo in Iran. Tehran zoo recently acquired an Asiatic lion that was born in Britain. The lion's name is Kamran and he was flown to Iran and landed in Tehran's Khomeini airport to eventually be housed in the Tehran zoo. Kamran's arrival at the zoo marked the first time an Asiatic lion had been in Iran for 80+ years.

## Sources

* Roaring success: Population of Asiatic lions in India up 29% | Times of India - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/roaring-success-population-of-asiatic-lions-in-india-up-29-in-5-years/articleshow/76311768.cms
* Protecting Asiatic lions in the Gir Forest | ZSL - https://www.zsl.org/conservation/regions/asia/protecting-asiatic-lions-in-the-gir-forest
* Asiatic Lion | ZSL - https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/asiatic-lion
* Asiatic Lion Facts | ZSL - https://www.zsl.org/asiatic-lion-facts
* Return to Motherland: Persian Lion Returns to Iran after 80 Years | SURF IRAN - https://surfiran.com/iranian-lion-returns-to-iran-after-80-years/
* Asiatic Lion Facts, Habitat and Diet | Discovery UK - https://www.discoveryuk.com/big-cats/asiatic-lion-facts-habitat-and-diet/
* Asiatic Lion | WWF - https://www.wwfindia.org/about\_wwf/priority\_species/threatened\_species/asiatic\_lion/
* Asian Lion | Animal Corner.Org - https://animalcorner.org/animals/asian-lion/
* Coexisting with an Increasing Number of Asiatic Lions | Mongabay, India - https://india.mongabay.com/2020/05/coexisting-with-an-increasing-number-of-asiatic-lions/
* Asiatic Lion | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic\_lion
* Asiatic Lion | Earth's Endangered Creatures - http://www.earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?gr=M&ID=3&sp=239
* Asian Lion | ZOOINSTITUTES - https://zooinstitutes.com/animals/asian-lion-1214/