Asiatic Lion - Data, Pictures & Videos

[Rishi]

1. Population of the Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Greater Gir landscape, is up by atleast 30%.
   
2. Geographically, distribution area is up by atleast 35%.
   

*This image is copyright of its original author

The department carried out a population estimation exercise on the night of June 5 & 6 this year when there was full moon. The exercise was undertaken as the five yearly census could not be carried out in May due to the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown. Earlier the Gujarat FD clarified that this was meant to be more of a population health observation than a proper census

This 1st of its kind lite version of Lion Census, was called  "Poonam Avlokan" or full-moon night estimation exercise. The lion territory in Saurashtra has registered an increase of from 22,500 km² in last census of 2015 to more than 30,000 km² now... Of that an area of ±13,000 km² around Gir form the core lion kingdom, where they are regularly sighted.

The officially released figure is of atleast 675 confirmed individuals (161 males, 260 females, 116 sub-adult lions & 137 cubs). The latest figure however, does not include many animals like lionesses with cubs who usually go into hiding, due to the scale & haste. Each beat guard will have to cover an area of about 100 sq.km, which is a huge challenge.
Maximum limit could be as high as 750.

Junagadh range Chief Conservator of Forest D T Vasavada had said that the estimation exercise was not a complete census.
"Lion census is carried out every five years in an extensive manner. Large number of central and state government officials, wildlife lovers, NGOs and members of National Board of Wildlife are involved in it. But due to lockdown we cannot call them now and a full-fledged census cannot be carried out."
He couldn't provide any confirmation on wheather more extensive census will be carried out later on.


Official report attached;

  292_1_0000.pdf (Size: 521.33 KB / Downloads: 2) Reply