ASIATIC LION Asiatic lions are slightly
smaller than African lions. The most striking morphological character, which is always seen in Asiatic lions is a longitudinal fold of
skin running along its belly. Asiatic lions were once distributed up to the state of West Bengal in east and
Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. At present
Gir National Park is the
only abode of the Asiatic lion.
The last surviving population of the Asiatic lions is a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of
Saurashtra region of Gujarat. It is listed in
Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, in
Appendix I of CITES and as
Endangered on IUCN Red List.
