Asiatic Lion

In historical times Lions were found from the Balkans, through the Arabian Peninsula to Central India. They were well-known in Biblical times and in the Roman circuses, but became extinct in Israel at the time of the Crusades. They were found in Iran and Iraq until after the First World War. Today less than 400 survive in the wild and these are restricted to the Gir Forest Wildlife Sanctuary in Western India – a site sadly threatened by habitat destruction, encroachment by humans and poaching.

Asiatic lions are smaller and lighter than their African counterparts and have a shaggier coat with a distinctive fold of skin that runs along the belly. They have a longer tassel of hair on the end of their tails and longer tufts of hair on the elbows and males have shorter manes .

Like all cats they have retractable claws, powerful jaws and sharp teeth which are used to bring down prey such as sambar and chital deer, nilgai antelope, gazelle, wild boar, water buffalo and occasionally domestic livestock. The prey is approached by stealth and then brought down before it outruns the lions.

They live in small prides with an average of only two female as compared to the 4-6 females of an African pride The males are much less sociable than African males and only associate with the pride when hunting or mating.

Females normally give birth to 2-3 cubs after a gestation period of 100-119 days. The cubs begin to eat meat at about three months old but are not fully weaned until,6 months old. They stay with the parents for about a year while they perfect their hunting skills. They reach maturity at 3-4 years.

Where they live: Gir Forest Reserve of Gujerat State,  Western India.

Habitat: Dry deciduous forest

Size: Head body length: 1.7-2.5 m (male) and 1.4-1.75 m. (female)  Tail length 70-105cm.. Height at shoulder : 1- 1.23 m (male) and 80-107 m. (female)

Weight: 120-250 kg (male) 120-180 kg (female)

Life span: 16-18 years

Conservation status: IUCN listed Endangered.

Breeding Programme status: EEP (European Species survival programme).

Threats: They are threatened by the destruction of their forest habitat and its degradation by increased agricultural development. This also leads to conflict and killing by farmers as lions kill livestock as the number of prey animals is reduced. They are also hunted and killed by poachers. The surviving wild population of some 350 animals is so small that it is also under  threat from disease and natural disaster. 

Fun facts:

• Lions rest and sleep for 20-21 hours per day.
• A male can eat 40 kg of meat in one sitting.
• A male lions roar can be heard up to 4 mile away.
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