Panthera leo persica

(Meyer, 1826)

Vernacular names
English : Asian lion
French : Lion d’Asie

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Carnivora
Family : Felidae
Notes : 7 other subspecies known. A revision recognizes only two subspecies of lions and this one would now be P. l. leo if accepted. So far, we choose to follow the older classification.

Identification
Body length of 250 cm, shoulder height of 123 cm, weight of 272 kg. Unmistakable. Males have a dark mane covering head, shoulders and belly. Females are smaller. This subspecies shows a distinct skin fold on breast and belly. males have a much shorter and sparser mane with usually only short hairs on forehead, giving a slight “bald” appearance.

Range and habitat
This subspecies is endemic to the Gujarat province of India where it is only found in the Gir forest reserve. The species occurs throughout Africa and as an isolated population in India. Lives in dry open woodlands, grasslands, savannas and scrubland, up to 4000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is now mostly restricted to protected areas. Some subspecies are extinct or highly endangered such as this Asian subspecies, surviving in only one tiny forest reserve in India. Alien diseases are a threat too.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

Back to “Cats, Civets, Mongooses & Relatives” page