World Lion Day

World Lion Day is being observed on 10th of August every year across the globe to raise awareness about the conservation and protection of lions.

Lions across the world

Lions (Panthera leo) have been admired as a symbol of power, strength, and courage. Previously, lions roamed throughout all of Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. However, this mighty species is now found only in fragments of sub-Saharan Africa, along with a critically endangered subpopulation in West Africa and a small population of Asiatic lions in India’s Gir National Park. Three of the five largest lion populations can be found in Tanzania.

The vast majority of lions live south of the Sahara. Since lions are extremely adaptable big cats, they can survive in a wide variety of habitats, including dry forests, thick bush, floodplains, and semi-arid desert areas. However, they typically prefer open savannas where it is easier to stalk their prey.

Compared to other big cat species, lions are the most sociable. They live in groups called prides, which can consist of anywhere from two to 30 members, including three or four males, a dozen or more females, and their offspring. Lionesses remain with the same pride for their entire lives. Male lions, on the other hand, leave after maturing to compete for control of another pride. Leading males defend their territory by marking it with urine and roaring to scare off intruders. A lion’s roar can be heard from five miles away and is also a show of power between males.

Within their pride, female lions act as the primary hunters and work in teams to prey on zebras, wildebeests, antelope, and other large herbivores. Lions sleep up to 20 hours a day, so most of their hunting is done at night or early in the morning. This is because their eyes easily adapt to the dark, and it is easier to sneak up on prey at night. Along with hunting for the pride, female lions are responsible for raising their offspring. They typically give birth to a litter every two years, which consists of one to four cubs.

The IUCN estimates that between 23,000 to 39,000 lions remain in the wild. However, other data from recent years suggests that that number may be closer to 20,000, as three-quarters of their population is in decline. Although lions are not currently endangered, population numbers will continue to decrease without proper conservation efforts.

Lions have disappeared from 95% of their historic range in Africa and their populations have declined 43% in the 21 years between 1993-2014. The threats to the lions include the following.

• Habitat Loss : Lions ’ ranges have been dramatically reduced due to human land use and climate change. Today they inhabit only 8% of their former range. As a result, populations of lions’ natural prey are in decline. Fragmentation of habitat leaves lions in isolated areas, making it harder for them to breed. 
• Human-Wildlife Conflict : Humans and lions compete for space and resources. When their food source becomes depleted, lions frequently disperse over large ranges in search of prey, sometimes leaving protected areas. When lions move into human-dominated areas, they pose a risk to communities by preying on domestic livestock and potentially harming or killing people. Human-wildlife conflict can create resentment towards lions and affect peoples’ tolerance for conservation efforts.
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade : A recent study led by Panthera suggests that the targeted poaching of lions for their skin, teeth, claws, and bones accounts for 35% of known human-related lion killings. However, retaliatory killings from human-lion conflict is still their main threat. With human interaction with lions growing, consumption of urban bushmeat – meat from wild animals – is also increasing. The bushmeat trade poses several threats for lions as their prey is poached for the commercial sale of meat. 

Lions in India

Gir National Park

The lion is the pride of our nation. Gir National Park is the only place in the world outside Africa where a lion can be seen in its natural habitat. The lions of Gir are a majestic animal, averaging 2.75 metres in length, and with a bigger tail tassle, bushier elbow tufs and prominent belly folds than his African cousin which has larger mane. 

The Government notified the large geographical extent of Sasan Gir as wildlife sanctuary on 18th September, 1965 in order to conserve the Asiatic Lion. It covers total area of 1412 square kilometers of which 258 Km forms the core area of the National Park.

Project Lion 

Project Lion document titled "Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal" has been prepared with the following objectives to secure & restore lions’ habitats for managing its growing population; scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities; become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment and create inclusive biodiversity conservation through project lion initiative.

Project Lion envisages landscape ecology based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating conservation and eco-development. The Project is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat by the State Government of Gujarat and other stakeholders like Central Zoo Authority. Financial assistance of Rs. 124.58 lakhs have been provided to State of Gujarat for conservation of wildlife including Asiatic Lions under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)- ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ during last three years.

Following the consistent efforts of the forest department and citizens, the number of Asiatic lions has surged to 674 as of June 2020. The increase in the population of the Asiatic lions has facilitated their movement in almost nine districts of Saurashtra.

Sources

1. World Wildlife Fund
2. https://panthera.org/cat/lion
3. Gir National Park