Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) One of
the largest of Indian cats, and the last remnant of the low-three digit population
is confined to at Sasan Gir forests (Gujarat), where less than 300 remain.
There are plans to translocate this highly endangered animal to Kuno sanctuary
in M.P. (Central Indian Provinces). The Asiatic Lion is rated the most endangered
large carnivore globally. And India has the distinction of being the last earthly
refuge of the Asiatic lion.
The Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary is the one and only remaining habitat
of this proud and majestic species. An average Asiatic Lion, also known as the
Indian Lion, is generally 2.5 m to 2.9 m tall, and weighs between 200 to 250
kg.
It has a majestic mane and a big tail tuft. Indian Lions move about in prides,
comprising 2-3 male adults and more lionesses and cubs. They communicate with
each other with a variety of grunts, meows, growls, moans and roars, and while
female cubs stay with the pride, the males leave after they are three years
old.
The Asiatic Lions are lazy and indolent creatures that prey on the Sambar, Chital,
Nilgai, Wild Pig, and occasionally on goats and camels. Lion males often live
in pairs that last a lifetime. However, in the pride it is the females who go
out hunting in packs and bring back prey, whichis first devoured by the male,
and only then by the rest of the pack.
In the daytime, they live close to water holes and rest in the shade. Hunting
is relegated to dusk, or at night. The Asiatic lion once ranged from Asia Minor
and Arabia through Persia to India.
In fact, at the turn of the century, Gir was a splendid mixed, deciduous forest
of teak, acacia, zizyphas and banyan, sprawled over some 3,386 sq. km. Lions
would have thrived there, were it not for their enemies-hunters and a devastating
famine that all but wrapped up the prey species.
At one time the estimated number of lions went down to as low as thirty. However,
due to the efforts of the authorities and the Gir National Park, the Asiatic
lion has been narrowly saved from extinction. Though it is still a highly endangered
species, statistics show that if efforts are kept up, their numbers might begin
to improve.