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Indian Lion

Asiatic lions are seriously endangered. The Indian lion is another name for this lion, a sub-species that once lived from Greece to central India. Called the "Lord of the Beasts", they became a symbol for human power. Slightly smaller than their cousins, (the african lion), they do not have as full of a mane, however, they do have thicker elbow tufts and a longer tail tuft. They are also identified by a unique fold of skin along the underneath of their bellys. The Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary in Gujarat, Western India is the only place to view these beautiful creatures. The park with the Indian government are giving guided jeep tours for tourists.

Size:
In size, the average measurements compare favourably with that of the African lion. The record Indian lion measured 9'7" (2.92 meters) as against the 10'7" (3.23 meters) for the African lion. However, the Indian lions measured are from a tiny fraction of territory when compared with the extensive range of the African lion.

Meal:
Lions live largely on the cattle of these forest villages rather than the wild ungulates such as the sambar, chital, nilgai and wild board. They also take whatever they can kill including goats and camels.

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The Gir Forest- Their Abode:
The Gir Forest, the last home of the Asiatic lion is itself a relict, being the only patch of extensive forest in the Saurashtra Peninsula. As the only forest of any extent in Saurashtra, it is of considerable importance not only as the home of the lion but also for its effects on the climate and water table of the surrounding districts.

The Gir Forest, to which the Indian lion had finally retired by the turn of the century, was situated in the princely state of Junagadh before Indian became independent. Without any doubt the continued survival of lions is due to the protection given to them by the Nawabs of Junagadh. At the end of the 19th century, poaching and uncontrolled shooting had brought the lions to the verge of extinction and it was believed that not more than 20 existed. The Nawab's government then placed a strict ban on shooting which was enforced rigidly.

The lion was for a period of time the national animal of India and still continues to be a national animal from its presence on the nation's crest, the lions of Ashoka.

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