Asiatic Lion

The Asian lion differs from the African lion in having a smaller size, a shorter mane and a long skin fold on the abdomen. Their coat is thicker, they have a longer tail tuft and a prominent tuft at the elbows. The number of females accompanying each male is usually two,  lower than in the case of the African which is 4 - 6.

It is classified as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s red list. The main problems it faces are inbreeding due to the isolation of its population, disease, poaching and habitat loss.

The Asiatic lion is also less social, tending to move around in smaller groups. This is because the animals they feed on in the forest are very small, and they don’t need each other to hunt. Females are responsible for hunting (as in the case of Africans). They feed mainly on antelopes, deer, wild boar, buffalo and sometimes also domestic livestock they find in the reserve.

Their gestation period lasts approximately 14-15 weeks and litters may contain from 1 to 6 cubs.