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The Asiatic Lions of Gir: Status, Trends, Threats

Conservation helps maintain a small population of Asiatic lions in India

Document created 23 April 2009, last updated 23 September 2010

At the latest census over 400 lions were living in India, restricted to or near the forest of Gir in Gujarat (see Times of India 2010, link below).

This is the only existing lion population outside Africa, the last remnant of Asiatic lions which ranged from Europe to India across south-west Asia (see IUCN Red List, link below).

From only a few indivuals left at the beginning of the 20th century, some degree of protection allowed the population to grow to 177 in 1968 and further to the present census. Gir is now a protected area, including a national park and a sanctuary (see Asiatic Lion website, link below).

The lion population of Gir is now stable or increasing slowly, and some groups have settled well outside the protected area.

Among the existing threats poaching, conflict with local inhabitants and accidents are all cause of animal deaths. In addition the population's small size and concentration in a small geographic area makes it vulnerable to a catastrophic event such as disease. As a result the possibility of creating another lion sanctuary elsewhere in India has been debated for some time (see Times of India 2009).

Links to external websites:

[wb1]  The Times of India - 22 Jun 09 - Second home for Gir's big cats remains mired - India's Asiatic lions are the most vulnerable of all the big cats as they live in a single area in Gujarat, making them prone to diseases as well as other threats, and yet calls for creating a s

[wb2]  The Times of India - 3 May 10 - Roaring success: Lion count in Gujarat up by 52 since 2005 - Increased numbers, improved sex ratio and more areas conquered — the lion king is healthy and prospering in Gujarat. Chief minister Narendra Modi declared the lion census figures of 2

[wb3]  Asiaticlion.org - Click to visit website

[wb4]  IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - Section: Asiatic lion

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