Gir Forest Lions' Survival And The Chance To Roam Free (PHOTOS)

From Uri Golman:

A small teak forest in India’s western state of Gujarat is home to some of the last wild Asiatic lions in this world.

Not many people know about these lions. When I chose to go there to work on a personal project about endangered wildlife in India, I was often asked if I was maybe thinking about the better known Bengal tigers.

But, no, India does have a small lion subspecies population. They are Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) and historically ranged in a large area from Greece through Iran, and all the way to India. In fact, it was the Asiatic subspecies that were used by the Romans in gladiator fights at the Colosseum-- not its larger cousin, the African lion.

Big cats are threatened all over the world. Loss of habitat and conflict with humans are great problems worldwide, but nowhere is this as evident as in the Gir National Forest. [Text continues after images.]

Photos and captions courtesy of Uri Golman

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Here, a small population of about 411 lions, including nearly 150 sub-adults (according to a 2010 census), have their last stronghold. Fortunately, the Gir Forest sanctuary is well kept by the Gujarat government and lion numbers are on the rise. Yet according to scientists like Dr. Luke Hunter, President of Panthera who wrote a BBC Wildlife Article about this issue, the lions are outgrowing the forest and have nowhere to go. Noted lion expert Dr. Ravi Chellam has developed plans for relocation, and the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in the neighboring Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is ready to receive the lions.

It would seem relocation is the only hope for Asiatic lions' survival. With such a small population in a small geographical place, disease could wipe out the entire population in a very short time. One of the lions' main prey, other than the chital deer (Axis axis), is livestock, which is troubling to local farmers and cattle-herders. Human vs. wildlife conflicts take place in Gujarat every day, and wildlife rarely wins.

So, why have the lions not been moved yet? It seems like a simple job, and in national parks around South Africa, relocation of animals has become everyday business. But things are unfortunately not as simple as they seem, and the Asiatic lions may never roam in any other sanctuary than Gir. According to Hunter's article, the state government of Gujarat refuses to give permission for any relocation. Some voices say that it is about Gujarati pride, while others believe it is a financial concern of the state wanting to protect the tourist income brought by the lions.

Sadly, politics always plays a role in conservation. After having spent an amazing time in the vicinity of this incredible animal, I only hope that the right people will change their minds and give these lions a chance. Hopefully, we will once again see the Asiatic lions roam freely as they should.

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Comments

[bad spelling grammar]

06:01 PM on 04/24/2012

Big cats are in trouble all over the world due to poaching and habitat loss. Unfortunately they are losing the battle due to human ignorance and greed. When it comes to earths land based creatures, I can’t think of anything more majestic than a big cat. There beauty, intelligence, speed and stealth are a true testament to the evolutionary process that has shaped life as we know it on this planet and it would be disgrace to all of us if humans were the cause of their extinction. I hope that in the future my generation will prioritize conservation across the globe; after all 8 out of 10 people support any policies that promote the survival endangered species. It’s about time we use this massive support to do some good and ensure that big cats will live to see the future.

[GirlUsingBrain]

05:29 PM on 04/24/2012

I have known about these lions for years. I think I learned about them in a National Geographic magazine article.

I have seen their larger cousins in Africa and I have been to India to see tigers in the wild. When I first read and learned about these lions, there were only 300 left. It is good to know their numbers have increased.

It is one of my dreams to see these lions in the wild and I hope conservation efforts are successful.

[bad spelling grammar]

06:01 PM on 04/24/2012

I got to see them in India and let me tell you its awesome, that forest also has one of the highest leopard populations in India. You may get lucky and see one of them as well.

[GirlUsingBrain]

12:04 PM on 04/25/2012

WOW ! I just got an excitement chill ! I can't wait ... I want to leave today! Right now!

[Jetsfanindenver]

07:06 PM on 02/22/2013

These are 2010 figures. Now i hear the population has increased to 526 in 2011. That's a significant rise from a population 13 in 1912. The Government is doing a good job. But the size of this population can only increase with the lions being able to adapt.

I agree with the comment on number of leopards in this forest.

The State Government which has done such a phenomenal job in doubling the numbers in just a decade is wary of relocating these lions somewhere else because most of the relocation spots have a very poor track record in preventing poaching.

[IgnatiusJ]

02:33 PM on 04/23/2012

Shouldn't some nouveau riche douchesickle be over there exterminating them with high-power optics and gunpowder?

[bad spelling grammar]

05:59 PM on 04/24/2012

the Trump family already wen to africa

[karen lyons kalmenson]

01:12 PM on 04/23/2012

man has to learn
to share this earth
with all other beings
or his own reflection
will be the last
living thing he is seeing