Gujarat now home to 891 Asiatic lions

Time of India

22-05-2025

In a shot in the arm for Gujarat's conservation efforts, the state is now officially home to 891
Asiatic lions
, marking a remarkable 32% increase from 674 in 2020. The latest census reveals that 507 lions — more than half the total population — now roam outside
Gir National Park
and
Wildlife Sanctuary
, highlighting the species' successful territorial expansion across Saurashtra.
CM Bhupendra Patel announced the official figures on Wednesday.
There are an estimated 196 males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults and 225 cubs, according to the latest count, forest department officials said. Of these, an estimated 460 lions were counted outside their designated protected area, according to forest department sources.
The lion population has grown by 70% in a decade, up from 523 in 2015. With one nomadic male lion recorded in Devbhumi Dwarka, now all 11 districts in Saurashtra — including non-forested and coastal areas — have officially marked the presence of the king of the jungle.
This growth underscores what wildlife experts have been hailing as one of the world's most successful big cat conservation stories, with Gujarat remaining the last stronghold for this majestic species that once faced extinction.
The census results come at a time when the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has painted a grim picture for lion populations across North Africa and Southwest Asia, where "numbers continue to decline as human impact is preventing them from being fully ecologically functional across their range".
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In stark contrast, Gujarat's unique model of human-wildlife coexistence has enabled the Asiatic lion to thrive, expanding their territory from 22,000 sq km in 2015 to an impressive 35,000 sq km according to the latest census.
The latest census recorded a stable lion population in eight of 11 districts, barring Surendranagar, Jamnagar and Morbi. Gujarat forest department officials said there are an estimated 196 male lions, 330 females, 140 sub-adults and 225 cubs.
"The big cats were earlier confined to the Gir National Park in Junagadh and Amreli districts, but now they have spread to 11 districts," said A P Singh, head of forest force.
Jaipal Singh, principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), said that 384 lions were counted inside Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, and 507 were found outside.
In all, 17 lions were counted in Barda sanctuary, 15km from Porbandar.
The highest number of lions recorded in a single pride was 20 in Bhavnagar district, Jaipal Singh said.
The census data showed Amreli district leading with 339 lions, marking a 45.49% growth in five years, while Bhavnagar recorded 116 lions, a 43.21% rise. Gir Somnath's lion population grew by 20.65% to reach 222, and Junagadh saw an 8.52% increase with 191 lions. Barda Dungar, Jetpur and Babra-Jasdan are now permanent homes of Asiatic lions, the officials said.
*Numbers soar*
- Adult female lion population sees 27% jump, up from 260 to 330
- New populations spotted in Barda wildlife sanctuary, Jetpur and Babra-Jasdan areas
- Mitiyala sanctuary emerges as growth hotspot with 100% increase in lion numbers
- Bhavnagar mainland records impressive 84% growth in lion population
- Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary shows steady 15% increase from 2020 count of 334 lions
- Coastal regions (Sutrapada-Veraval & Rajula-Nageshree) report 119 lions, up from 87 in 2020
- Lion population in Lilia and Savarkundla (Amreli district) grows by 28%