Having once inhabited a range that stretched from Eastern Europe to West, Central and South Asia, Asiatic lions can now only be found within the Gir Forest National Park. Their numbers plummeted to near-extinction at the turn of the 20th century but in 2005 they became the first carnivorous species to be downgraded from Critically Endangered to Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Thanks to the conservation efforts of the Gujarat Government and the unfailing support of the local people, these wild cats have established a record-high population of over 500 individuals within the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.
Having diverged from their African counterparts around 100,000 years ago, Asiatic lions exhibit subtle physical differences when compared to African lions. They are typically smaller in size, with a maximum body length of 2.9m from head to tail. Male Asiatic lions also sport a smaller mane than African lions, making their ears more visible. Their coats, however, are thicker and they have a longer tail tassel. Perhaps the most obvious physical distinction between the two subspecies is a skinfold which can be seen on the abdomen of the Asiatic lion but is absent in African lions.
Despite their physical similarities, in the 1970s cross-breeding of Asiatic and African lions in India resulted in tragedy as it gave rise to deformed hybrids with compromised immune systems. Kuldip Kumar, the director of the Chhatbir Zoo, said "The hybridisation between the Asiatic and African lions in zoos and their subsequent inbreeding since the mid-1980s has weakened the bloodline and devastated their gene pool." In an effort to preserve the Asiatic lion bloodline, all captive hybrids were left to die before being replaced by “true” Asiatic lions sourced from the Gir reserve. This fate came prematurely for many as a result of the genetic defects caused by hybridisation.
Extensive hunting by the British imperialists and Indian maharajas at the turn of the 20th century was one of the key factors which brought Asiatic lions to the brink of extinction. In 1890, the Nawab of Junagadh, Saheb Sir Muhammad Rasul Khanji II, who ruled in the princely Junagadh State, discovered the desperate reality of the Asiatic lion population when he struggled to find a specimen for the Duke of Clarence to shoot. Realising the fate of the Asiatic lion was in his hands, in 1900 he declared the Gir to be a protected area for this endangered species.
Unfortunately, the plight of the lions continued to worsen when, from 1901 to 1905, they suffered a great famine, forcing the lions into local farmlands and villages killing many cattle and local people. Despite the many human casualties, the Nawab of Junagadh provided excellent protection for the animals and slowly their numbers increased up until his death in 1911. At this time, 12 – 13 lions were shot per year but as the British Administration and the Gujarat Government took control of hunting in the area, shooting of these critically endangered mammals was banned and came under strict control.
For any conservation attempt to be successful, the needs of the endangered animal must be balanced with the needs of the existing communities. Such projects hinge on the continued support of the local people. The success of the Gir National Reserve in ensuring this is greatly demonstrated by the total lack of retaliatory killings of lions by residents in the Gir, despite loss of cattle and human life. This attitude is greatly reflected in a saying the local people live by "Saavaj che to ame chye, ame chye to saavaj che" which translates to “we thrive since the lion thrives and vice versa”. A combination of cultural pride and an understanding of the economic benefits of keeping the Asiatic lion population alive has turned the local communities, the lion’s greatest competitor for resources, into one of the most effective and integral tools of the entire conservation effort.
“Asiatic lions are known in India as ‘the pride of Gujarat,’ say’s Gitanjali Bhattacharya, Conservation Programmes Manager for Central and South Asia from the Zoological Society of London,” and this passion for the animals ensures that unlike many other big predators elsewhere in the world, they currently face relatively minimal threat from hunting or poaching. “
The Forest Department reward the kind nature of the local people with a highly efficient conservation management strategy which seeks to protect the community and, when necessary, ensure fair and swift compensation for those negatively impacted by the lions present in the Gir. Loss of cattle and human life is met with financial compensation within 24 hours of the event, hoping to mitigate the loss suffered by farmers and families.
The presence of the forest officials within the Gir is extensive, with hourly patrols and separate teams monitoring the entire reach of the reserve. Each day, a lion sighting report is sent out to monitor for the loss of individuals in the pride and behaviour which could indicate a lion, or lions, moving uncommonly close to neighbouring villages. A system of “Van Prani Mitra” has also been put in place whereby each village is appointed a wildlife watcher by the Forest Department. These watchers monitor the movement of wildlife to reduce the risk of fatal interactions between humans and lions. Remarkably, the field staff are made up of many all-women teams which is a first for India and a source of great pride for those involved.
Thanks to the numerous and high-quality wildlife treatment centres within the Gir, veterinarians can respond swiftly to reports of injured lions. As a result, each year approximately 40 of the rescued lions brought in for treatment are able to be released back into the wild. The Asiatic Lion Campaign, in association with The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Wildlife Institute of India and Gujarat Forest Department, is working to safeguard Asiatic lions as their population continues to remain vulnerable. Gitanjali Bhattacharya, Conservation Programmes Manager for Central and South Asia, ZSL says;
“As the Asiatic lion’s population grows their range is gradually expanding and they are at increased risk of coming into contact with human communities that are less accustomed to their presence and may be less comfortable with lions living on their doorstep. To help mitigate this issue, ZSL has supported the Government of Gujarat in drafting an updated strategic plan for Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh, designed to increase their engagement and education efforts with local communities. Hopefully this approach will help to ensure that local communities continue to welcome lion presence as they expand their range, rather than begin perceiving them as a threat. Thanks to the work of Government of Gujarat and local community support numbers have now steadily risen to around 500. So, the species is no longer absolutely on the brink but still requires dedicated support to ensure this progress continues in the face of more recent challenges like population growth and habitat loss.”
The current situation for Asiatic lions is optimistic as their range, which is currently similar in size to Greater London, continues to expand. However, due to their confined location and small population size there is still the risk of a catastrophic decline in the number of individuals due to a natural disaster or potential disease outbreak. The Government of Gujarat will need to continue to maintain the positive relationship between the Asiatic lions and the neighbouring communities, meaning the continued hard work of the Forest Department is vital to ensure the survival of both the local people and the Asiatic lion population.