In 1907, Nawab of Junagadh granted Asiatic lions complete protection upon finding only thirteen of the great cats in the forest. While officially protected since that time, they remain threatened with extinction. The Asiatic Lion is classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Historically, these lions ranged as far west as Europe, and into territories now known as Iran, Pakistan, India, Russia, and Yemen. They are the lions of biblical fame.
Compared to their African cousins, Asiatic lions have shaggier coats and longer tassels at the ends of their tails. They also have a distinctive fold of skin that runs the length of their bellies.
The Gir Forest itself is a dry, deciduous woodland comprised of about 30% Teak trees. The area is home to hundreds of species of birds and other animals, including leopards and Spotted Deer.
Click here to learn more about how the lions are threatened by open-pit wells without barricades around them…..