10 August 2021.
Introduction:
World Lion Day is celebrated on August 10 every year in a bid to raise awareness on lions. The day also seeks to mobilise support for protection and conservation of Lion.
Highlights
- According to World Wide Fund for animals (WWF), though lion is referred to as the “king of the jungle”, in reality, it only lives in grasslands and plains.
- India is home to majestic Asiatic Lion, who inhabit protected territory of Sasan-Gir National Park.
- According to WWF, lions were once found throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. But over the years, their numbers have reduced across these continents.
About World Lion Day
- Initiative to protect lion started in 2013 so the first World Lion Day was observed in 2013 itself.
- Since then, the day has become a symbol of fight towards protection of lion. Last remaining population of the Asiatic Lions are found in Gir National Park of Gujarat.
About Asiatic Lions
- Asiatic lion is scientifically called as Panthera leo persica.
- They are approximately 110 cm in height.
- They have been listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and are considered as Endangered species on IUCN Red List.
- Weight of Adult males is in between 160 to 190 kg and that of female is in between 110 to 120 kg.
Threat to lions
- Asiatic lions face significant threats of poaching and threat of genetic inbreeding.
- WWF has also recorded instances of deaths of lions as a result of falling into unguarded wells around Gir.
Population of Asiatic Lions
In 2020, population of Asiatic lions has surged by almost 29% in Gujarat’s Gir forests. The distribution area of lions has also increased by 36%.