Asiatic lion

The Asiatic lion is a lion population in the Indian state of Gujarat that belongs to the subspecies Panthera leo leo. The first scientific description of the Asiatic lion published in 1826 was based on a specimen from Persia. Until the 19th century, it ranged from Saudi Arabia, eastern Turkey, Iran, Mesopotamia and southern Pakistan to Central India. Since the turn of the 20th century, its range has been restricted to Gir National Park and surrounding areas. The Indian population has steadily increased since 2010. In 2015, the 14th Asiatic Lion Census was conducted over an area of about 20,000 km² (7,700 sq mi); the lion population was estimated at 523 individuals, and in 2017 at 650 individuals. In 2020 the population was 674 and by 2025 it had increased to 891.^[2]