Asiatic Lion

More about Asiatic lions...

The range of the Asiatic lion formerly stretched across the coastal forests of northern Africa and northern Greece across southwest Asia to eastern India. Today the only living representatives of the lions once found throughout much of South-West Asia occur in the Gir Forest of Western India.

Asiatic lions are smaller and lighter than their African counterparts and have a shaggier coat with a distinctive fold of skin that runs along the belly. They have a longer tassel of hair on the end of their tails and longer tufts of hair on the elbows and males have shorter manes. They are apex predators, using their retractable claws , powerful jaws and sharp teeth to bring down prey such as sambar and chital deer, nilgai antelope, gazelle, wild boar, water buffalo and occasionally domestic livestock. Females normally give birth to two or three cubs after a gestation period of 100-119 days. They stay with their parents for about a year while to hone their hunting skills and reach maturity at three to four years.

Threats:

Today it is estimated that just 300-600 individuals survive in the Gir Forest, a site sadly threatened by habitat destruction, encroachment by humans and poaching. They are also susceptible to unpredictable events, such as an epidemic or large forest fire, due to their limited population.

Our Impact:

Dudley Zoo & Castle is proud to be part of the the EAZA European breeding programme for this charismatic species.