The Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project

Protecting the endangered Asiatic Lion.

- Dr. B.G Ramaprasad

The population of lions declined by almost half, in just five year from 285 in 1963 to about 166 in 1968. In the face of the rout, a wildlife conservation programme for the Asiatic Lion was started by the Indian Forest Department in September 1965 with the declaration of a designated area as a sanctuary.

Why is Asiatic lion endangered?

On the declaration IUCN (International Union for Conservatio of Nature) Red Data list, it is listed under its former scientific name Panthera Leo Persica as endangered because of its small population size and area occupancy. The Asiatic lion was first described in 1826 by Austrian zoologist Johann N. Meyer, who named it Felis Leo Persicus.

African lions tend to hunt large animal such as antelopes, zebra, hogs, rhinos, hippos and wildebeest. Asiatic lions also hunt large animals, including buffaloes, goat, nilgai (a large Asian antelopes), chital and sambar (two type deer).

What is the natural habitat of Asiatic lion?

The natural habitat of Asiatic lions comprises vast plains with huge shady trees and at present its distribution spreads across Gir National Park and Wildlife sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.

The last surviving population of the Asiatic lion is a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in Southwestern part of Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

Differences between Asiatic and African lions