The population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has grown significantly, reaching 891 — a jump of 217 from 674 recorded five years ago, officials said on Wednesday.
What makes this rise even more notable is that the lions are no longer limited to their traditional home in Gir National Park. According to the recent census conducted this month, the big cats have now been spotted across 11 districts of the Saurashtra region, including coastal and non-forested areas.
“Estimated population of Asiatic lions has increased to 891,” Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel told reporters here. As per the last census conducted in June 2020, the population of Asiatic lions, a subspecies only found in Gujarat’s Gir area, was estimated at 674. As per the latest count, there are estimated 196 males, 330 females,140 sub-adults and 225 cubs, said the Gujarat forest department. As the population of lions is increasing, their spread in Saurashtra region has also expanded.
Earlier confined to the Gir National Park in Junagadh and Amreli districts, Asiatic lions have now spread across 11 districts of Gujarat, an official said. According to Jaipal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, 384 lions were recorded inside the Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, while 507 were found outside its boundaries. The lions were also spotted in sanctuaries like Pania, Mitiyala, Girnar, and Barda, along with some non-forested and coastal areas. In Barda sanctuary, located 15 km from Porbandar, 17 lions were counted. The highest number of lions seen in a single pride was also 17, recorded in Bhavnagar district, the official added.
The 16th Asiatic lion census was carried out over four days, from May 10 to 13, in two phases. The massive exercise covered around 35,000 square kilometres across 58 talukas in 11 districts of Gujarat. According to a forest department release, the preliminary count took place on May 10 and 11, while the final counting was done on May 12 and 13. Around 3,000 volunteers took part in the process, including regional, zonal, and sub-zonal officers, as well as enumerators, assistant enumerators, and inspectors.
The census was done using a more accurate method called ‘direct beat verification.’ This technique ensures almost 100 percent accuracy with very little chance of error, thanks to detailed statistical analysis and easy implementation, the forest department said. The lion census is carried out every five years by the state Forest Department. During the survey, volunteers noted details like the time of sighting, direction of the lion’s movement, its sex and age, any unique marks on its body, and the GPS location.
Hi-tech tools such as camera traps, high-resolution cameras, and radio collars were used to identify the lions, the forest department said. Lions were spotted in 11 districts: Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Amreli, Porbandar, and Botad.