Asiatic Lions & Asiatic lion vs African lion

Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica)

• The Asiatic lion, also known as the Persian lion or Indian Lion, is a population of Panthera leo leo that today survives in the wild only in India.
• Since the turn of the 20th century, its range has been restricted to Gir National Park and the surrounding areas in the Indian state of Gujarat.
  • Historically, it inhabited much of southwest Asia to northern India.
  • Until the 19th century, it occurred in Saudi Arabia, eastern Turkey, Iran, Mesopotamia, Pakistan, and from east of the Indus River to Bengal and the Narmada River in Central India.
• The population has steadily increased since 2010. In 2015, the 14th Asiatic Lion Census was conducted over an area of about 20,000 km²; the lion population was estimated at 523 individuals, and in 2017 at 650 individuals.

Distribution:

• Asiatic lions were once distributed to the state of West Bengal in east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India.
• At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.
  • In 2020, the Gujarat Forest Department announced an increase in the population of Asiatic lions in the Gir forest region.

Asiatic Lions Protection Status:

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• CITES: Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I

Characteristics of Asiatic Lions

• Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
• Adult males weigh 160 to 190 kg, while females weigh 110 to 120 kg.
• The height at the shoulders is about 3.5 ft (110 cm).
• The maximum recorded total length of a male Asiatic lion is 2.92m (115 inches) including the tail.
• The most striking morphological character, which is always seen in Asiatic lions, and rarely in African lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.
• The fur ranges in colour from ruddytawny, heavily speckled with black, to sandy or buff-grey, sometimes with a silvery sheen in certain lights.
• Males have only moderate mane growth at the top of the head, so that their ears are always visible.
• About half of Asiatic lions’ skulls from the Gir forest have divided infraorbital foramina, whereas African lions have only one foramen on either side.
  • The sagittal crest is more strongly developed, and the post-orbital area is shorter than in African lions.
• It differs from the African lion by a larger tail tuft and less inflated auditory bullae.

Behaviour of Asiatic lions (Male and Female)

• Male Asiatic lions are solitary, or associate with up to three males, forming a loose pride. Pairs of males rest, hunt and feed together, and display marking behaviour at the same sites.
• Females associate with up to twelve other females, forming a stronger pride together with their cubs. They share large carcasses among each other, but seldom with males.
• Female and male lions usually associate only for a few days when mating, but rarely live and feed together.
• Results of a radio telemetry study indicate that annual home ranges of male lions vary from 144 to 230 km² in dry and wet seasons. Home ranges of females are smaller, varying between 67 and 85 km².
• During hot and dry seasons, they favour densely vegetated and shady riverine habitats, where prey species also congregate.
• Coalitions of males defend home ranges containing one or more female prides. Together, they hold a territory for a longer time than single lions. Males in coalitions of three to four individuals exhibit a pronounced hierarchy with one male dominating the others.
• The lions in Gir National Park are active at twilight and by night, showing a high temporal overlap with sambar, wild boar, and nilgai.

Conservation Issues & Threats

• The Asiatic lions face the usual threats of poaching and habitat fragmentation.
  • Three major roads and a railway track pass through the Gir Protected Area (PA).
  • Also, there are three big temples inside the PA that attract large number of pilgrims, particularly during certain times of the year.
• There has been an increase in lion population, and more than 200 lions stay outside the PA.
• Though the conflict is not high now, with changing lifestyles and values these may increase in the future.
• There are also cases of lions dying by falling into the unguarded wells around the Gir PA.
• The Asiatic lion faces threat of genetic inbreeding arising from a single population in one place.

Conservation Efforts: Asiatic Lion Conservation Project

• The “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” has been launched by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• It has been approved for three financial years from 2018 to 2021.
• It envisages scientific management with the involvement of communities in coordination with multi-sectoral agencies for disease control and veterinary care for overall conservation of Asiatic lions.
• Notably, the project embraces a “Species Conservation over a large landscape” strategy, emphasizing the significance of preserving the Asiatic lion within its expansive habitat.

Project Lion

• Project Lion is a conservation initiative aimed at protecting the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat, particularly in the Gir landscape, which is the last remaining habitat for these lions. 
• The project focuses on landscape ecology-based conservation, integrating both conservation and eco-development strategies. 

Key objectives of Project lion

• Secure and Restore Lion Habitats:
  • The project aims to secure and restore the habitats of Asiatic lions to effectively manage their growing population.
  • Conservation efforts may include habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
• Livelihood Generation and Community Participation:
  • The project seeks to scale up livelihood generation activities for local communities living in the lion landscape.
  • The active participation of local communities is crucial for the success of the project, ensuring that conservation efforts benefit both wildlife and people.
• Global Hub for Big Cat Disease Diagnostics and Treatment:
  • Project Lion aims to establish itself as a global hub for knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment.
  • This involves research and development in the field of veterinary science, with a focus on understanding and treating diseases affecting Asiatic lions.
• Inclusive Biodiversity Conservation:
  • The project emphasizes inclusive biodiversity conservation through the Project Lion initiative.
  • Inclusivity implies involving various stakeholders, such as local communities, conservation organizations, and researchers, in the conservation efforts to create a comprehensive and sustainable approach.