LifespanFemales live 17-21 years and males generally live for 16 years
Quick facts
DietTerrestrial prey such as deer, cattle, buffalo and wild boar
Habitat Dry deciduous forest, thorny forest and savannah
RangeGujarat, India
The Asian lion
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Asian vs African
The Asian lion is thought to had split from the African lion some 100,000 years ago. They are genetically distinct, though their genetic distance is smaller than that between human racial groups. Asian lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
With a comparatively shorter, sparser and darker mane, the male Asian lion's ears are exposed and visible at all times. The Asian lion also sports thicker elbow and tail tufts and a longitudinal skin fold along the stomach.
Man - their biggest threat
Asian lions used to range from Turkey, across Asia, to eastern India, but the rise of firearm use globally led to their near-extirpation at the hands of trophy hunters. Today, these lions have to contend with a growing human population that rears livestock and grows crops in their range.
There have been cases of lions drowning after falling into wells. Poaching incidents in recent years also indicate that organised gangs may now be targeting these lions instead of the tigers.
Together, we protect wildlife
Recovering pride
From as few as ten in the late 1800s, the Asiatic lions have rebounded to all of 350. But this single subpopulation could be wiped out completely by a sudden catastrophe, such as a disease epidemic or large forest fire. Night Safari breeds the Asian lion and contributes to conserving the species.
Visit the Asian lions at Night Safari to support our conservation efforts.
The IUCN Status
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity
Special Experiences
Asiatic Lion Keeper Talk
Fri, Sat & eve of PH Lion Lookout, Leopard Trail 8:00pm & 9:00pmCan Brave the Light Rain
Learn more about our wildlife from the people who know best — the keepers. In this interactive session, hear interesting quirks of the Asian lions from our keepers.
