There are only several hundred of these Asiatic lions in the wild, and they live only in the Gir Forest, India. This area of about 20,000 square kilometres comprises the Gir conservation area, in Saurashtra, Gujarat. It covers the two hill systems of Gir and Girnar that has some of the largest tracts of dry deciduous forest, thorny forest and savannah.
Asian lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
Unlike African lions, the males do not tend to live with the females of their pride unless theyââ¬â¢re mating or have a large kill.
The male Asiatic lion has a relatively short, sparse and darker mane compared to the fuller mane of the African lion. As a result, the male Asiatic lion`s ears tend to remain visible at all times.
The most distinguishing characteristic of the Asiatic lion is the longitudinal fold of skin that runs along its belly, which is absent in African lions.
These differences led to its being classified as a separate species, Panthera Leo Persica.
Asiatic lions were found as far west as Palestine and throughout Arabia, Persia and Northern India, but were hunted to near-extinction. Gir forest became Asiatic lionââ¬â¢s last refuge, where only about 12 remained in the early 1900s. Although through conservation efforts they have staged a recovery, these wild lions are still vulnerable to disease, disaster and potential poaching.
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