Pride of Gujarat breaks new ground, 891 wild lions call state home | India News
Gujarat’s iconic Asiatic lion, once teetering on the edge of extinction, is roaring back stronger than ever. A fresh census reveals 891 lions now roam western India – a 32% rise from 674 recorded in 2020 – reflecting what conservationists hail as one of the most successful big cat recoveries globally.Forest officials said Wednesday that over half the population – 507 lions – live outside traditional strongholds ofGir national park and wildlife sanctuary. CM Bhupendra Patel announced the official figures, celebrating the increase as a “shot in the arm” for conservation efforts. Forest department sources detailed the breakdown: 196 males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs. In contrast, IUCN warns lion populations across northern Africa and southwestern Asia continue to decline due to human pressures and shrinking habitats.
