Good news for the Asian lion, an endangered species that confirmed the steady growth and success of the conservation plan in the latest Indian government census
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himGood news for the Asian lion, an endangered species that in the latest Indian government census confirmed the steady growth and success of the conservation plan implemented
In 1990 there were just 284 specimens, enough to include the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) which lives only in the Indian forest of Gir in Gujarat, to be classified as an endangered species. Today, however, thanks to a government protection program, the population is constantly increasing and, in the last census carried out last June 5, 674 lions were counted, 151 more than in May 2015.
The news was announced directly by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, with a tweet praised Gujarat Park for the "excellent feat" fueled by a commendable management of the habitat and the man-lion conflict, thanks also to the active participation of the community. "I hope this positive trend continues," he said:
Two very good news:
Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir Forest, is up by almost 29%.
Geographically, distribution area is up by 36%.
Kudos to the people of Gujarat and all those whose efforts have led to this excellent feat.https://t.co/vUKngxOCa7 pic.twitter.com/TEIT2424vF
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2020
Also known as the Indian lion or Gir lion, this majestic animal is one of the five big cats of India, along with the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, snow leopard, and clouded leopard. The loss of habitat and the open jungles in which it lived due to the increase in human population that converted the prairies into agricultural fields, had literally decimated the Asiatic lion which also became the target of both local hunters and British colonists.
Among the other threats that had brought this feline to the brink of extinction also floods, fires and epidemics and even today, despite the government conservation program started in the Gujarat Park, there are cases in which lions are poisoned for having attacked the livestock. A difficult coexistence that man-lion, which in recent years has been finding its balance, as shown, in fact, by the constant increase in numbers.
In 2010, 411 specimens were registered, 52 more than in the previous 2005 census, while in 2015 the number grew to 523, in 2017 to 650 and today to 674, an estimated increase of 28,87 percent. Lion distribution has also increased from an area of 22.000 square km in 2015 to 30.000 square km in 2020, thereby increasing the distribution area by 36 percent.
@Asian Lion Census - Wildlife Warden
Gujarat State, Gandhinagar
Confirming that conservation policies and man-animal cohabitation can really work in order not to say goodbye to unique and wonderful species forever.
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