Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), also known as the Indian lion, is a subspecies of lion that there is a single isolated population in the state of Gujarat India. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN based on a small population size. The lion population has continued to increase in the Gir Forest National Park, more than doubled from a low of 180 people in 1974 to a level of 411 people consisting of 97 adult males, 162 adult females, 75 sub-adults, and 77 children to April 2010.
Asiatic lion was first described by zoologists Meyer Austria under trinomen Felis leo persicus. This is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard. This previously occurred in Persia, Mesopotamia, Baluchistan, from Sind in the west to Bengal in the east, and from Rampur and Nerbudda Rohilkund in the north to the south. This is different from African lions by Bula hearing about increases, large tails and manes bunch of poorly developed.
The most striking morphological character, who always looks at Asiatic lion, but rare in African lion, is walking along the longitudinal skin folds his stomach. Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than African lions. Adult males weigh 160-190 kg (350-420 lb), while females weigh 110 to 120 kg (240-260 lb). At shoulder height is approximately 3.5 ft (110 cm) [9]. The total length of record male Asiatic lion is 2.92 m (115 in), including tail.
Rate feather in color from reddish-brown, highly decorated with black, to sandy or buffish-gray, sometimes with a silver sheen in certain lights. Only males have manes modest growth at the top of the head, so that their ears are always visible. Mane minimal on the cheeks and throat with only 4 in (10 cm) long. Approximately half of the Asiatic lion skulls from Gir forest was divided infraorbital foramina, whereas the African lion, there is only one foramen on both sides. More strongly developed sagittal crest, and the post-orbital region shorter than the African lion. Skull length in adult male range 330-340 mm (13 to 13 in), and in females 292-302 mm (11.5 to 11.9 in).
Compared with African lion population, revealed a number of Asiatic lions decreases biochemical genetic variation, which may result from the founder in recent history from the rest of the population in Gir Forest.
The Gir National Park and Sanctuary in Western Gujarat is the only habitat for the Asiatic lions of 1,412.1 km2 (545.2 sq mi) is expressed as a refuge for their conservation in 1965. Then, the national park of 258.71 km2 (99.89 sq mi) is established where there is no human activity is allowed. In the surrounding sanctuary Maldharis only have the right to graze their livestock.
Populations recovered from the brink of destruction to 411 people in 2010. They occupy forest habitats in the two systems waste Gir and Girnar hill which consists of the largest Gurajat channel dry autumn forest, thorn forest and savanna and provide valuable habitat for a variety of flora and fauna. Five protected areas currently exist to protect the Asiatic lion: Gir Sanctuary, Gir National Park, Pania Sanctuary, Sanctuary Mitiyala, and Girnar Sanctuary.
The first three forms of protected areas is Gir Conservation Area (561 sq mi) 1,452 km2 of forest block is the core habitat of the Asiatic lion. Two other holy places, Mitiyala and Girnar, protect satellite districts spread within Gir Conservation Area. An additional sanctuary was established in the near Barda forest to serve as an alternative home for Gir lions. The eastern part of the dry savannah with acacia thorn plants and receives about 650 mm (26 in) of annual rainfall, rainfall is higher in the west about 1,000 mm (39 in) per year.
Asiatic lions live in prides. Average pride size, measured by the total adult female, tend to be smaller than African lions: most Gir prides contain only two adult females, with a five largest. The combination of male defended tour that contains one or more groups of women, but unlike African lions, Gir males generally associated with women their pride only when mating or on a large kill. A lower level of charity in Gir lion may be a function of smaller prey available to them: the species most frequently taken (45% of kills are known), this Chital, weighs only about 50 kg (110 lb).
In 2010, about 105 lions, consisting of 35 males, 35 females, 19 subadults, and 16 children are outside Gir forest, represent a full quarter of the entire lion population. Increased satellite lion populations may represent saturation lion population in Gir forest and subsequent dissemination of sub-adults are forced to find new areas outside their natal pride. Over the last two decades, satellite districts become sustainable, self-reliant population as evidenced by his presence since 1995.
In general, the lion more large prey species in the weight range 190-550 kg (420 to 1,200 lb) regardless of their availability. But they dominated to take the victim substantially less than this, reflecting the opportunistic behavior of their hunt. During this period they prefer species that weighs 350 kg (770 lb), which is far greater than the weight of the largest recorded lion. Group hunting lion strategy allows very large prey items to be taken. Hunting success of lions hunting is influenced by the size and composition of the group, hunting methods used and by environmental factors such as grass and bush cover, time of day, month and field presence.
Domestic cattle historically been a key component of the Gir lion diet '. In 1974, the Forestry Department estimates the population of wild animal claws 9650 people. This population is growing consistently in subsequent studies, reaching 31,490 in 1990 and 64,850 in 2010, consisting of 52,490 spotted deer, wild boars, 4440, 4000 sambar, blue-silver 2890, Chinkara 740, and 290 four-horned deer. Thus, in the last four decades, the population of wild ungulates increased more than ten times. In contrast, domestic buffaloes and cattle population decreased this settlement, mostly due to direct elimination of livestock population of Gir Conservation Area.
Animal population of 24,250 inhabitants in 1970 dropped to 12,500 in the mid-1980s, but increased to 23,440 animals in the year 2010. After the changes in both predator and prey community, Asiatic lions shifted their predasi pattern. Today, kill livestock very little going on in the holy place, and not the most prevalent in the peripheral villages. In and around the Gir forest, depreciation records show that the lion killed on average per year between 2023 cattle, 2005, and 2009 and an additional 696 people in the satellite area.