2010 Asiatic Lion Census

The only home of the Asiatic Lion (biological name: Panthera leo persica) or Indian Lion in
the world is the Gir Forest of Gujarat. Recently Gujarat State Government has carried out
Asiatic Lion census 2010. The results have shown that there are 411 Asiatic Lions and the
number has increased from 358 in 2005 Census. The increased is over 13%.

This has been announced by Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The 1979 census had revealed
the population of the Asiatic Lions to be 2005. Latest population profile shows 97 males
against 162 females, making for a ratio of 1:1.67. Out of 411, 77 are cubs less than one year
old and another 75 are in the one to three year age-group. Thus, almost 40 per cent of the lion
population comprises the young.

Some More Points:

1. Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) is not national animal of India. National animal is
Panthera leo.
2. Out of eight races of Tigers known, the Indian race, the Royal Bengal Tiger, is found
throughout the country except in the north-western region and also in the neighboring
countries, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
3. To check the dwindling population of tigers in India, 'Project Tiger' was launched
in April 1973.
4. There are 38 tiger reserves in India which are governed by Project Tiger.
5. The largest Tiger Reserve is the NagarjunaSagar-Srisailam Abhayaranyam of
Andhra Pradesh.
6. Recently Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh has been announced as a new Tiger reserve in
India. A proposal was created in 2005 to make a home for the endangered cats in
Pilibhit forests was sent to the government of India in April 2008.
7. The Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh has been selected recently as
the reintroduction site for the Asiatic lion because it is located in the former range of
the lions before they were hunted into extinction in about 1873. In this context,
Gujarat has raised objections to the proposal, and the matter is now before the Indian
Supreme Court.