Gir National Park in Gujarat saw a massive increase of Asiatic lions and recorded a tremendous rise from 627 to 891. The Asiatic lions by the 20th century were recorded as record size low and only about 20 lions were remaining .
As the rate of Asiatic lions declined, only about 20 of them remained resulting in the loss of habitat and hunting. But Gir National Park in Gujarat saw a massive increase of Asiatic lions and recorded a tremendous rise from 627 to 891.
They were captured via cameras as they quickly saw the massive mighty cats. For a few minutes, cameras clicked wildly from safari jeeps, but as night falls and visitors leave, the mighty cat has still not moved a paw.
Indian pride as Asiatic lions roar back
Nearly wiped out by hunting and habitat loss, by the early 20th century only about 20 Asiatic lions remained. Now, in their last refuge, Gir National Park, lion numbers have risen by a third in five years, from 627 to 891… pic.twitter.com/6CSUNDsrXO
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) December 9, 2025
Gir’s conservation
Gir national park is known for its rigorous conservation of wildlife and the expansion of lions and their species. Park chief Ramratan Nala celebrates the “huge success” as lion numbers have risen by a third in five years, from 627 to 891.
“It’s a matter of pride for us,” Nala said, the head of government forests in the sprawling Junagadh district of the western state of Gujarat.
The historical existence
The Asiatic lions were smaller as compared to the African breeds which roamed from the Middle East to India.
The Asiatic lions by the 20th century were recorded as record size low and only about 20 lions were remaining which led to the deduction of hunting and loss of habitation.
“They’ve been resurrected from the brink of extinction,” said wildlife biologist Meena Venkatraman, as quoted by AFP.
The authorities of Gir secure the vegetation protecting it in such a way that could not hamper the habitation. They protect the wells and the roads nearby along with building a hospital.
“The thing about lions is that if you give them space, and you protect them and you give them prey, then they do extremely well,” said Andrew Loveridge, from global wild cat conservation organisation Panthera.
What does the rising number denote?
As the number of Asiatic lions increased, will the rising number pose a threat or cause chaos?
The increase in number mean lions now roam far beyond the boundaries of the park.
About half the lion population ranges across 30,000 km, and livestock killings have soared, from 2,605 in 2019–20 to 4,385 in 2023–24.
There are no official figures on attacks on humans, though experts estimate there are around 25 annually.
“They are interacting with people… who are not traditionally used to a big cat,” said Venkatraman.
“Having all the lions in a single population may not be a good idea in the long term,” she added.
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