India’s population of Asiatic lions has increased by more than a third, reaching 891, according to the latest five-yearly census released on Wednesday.
This marks a major success in conservation efforts to protect the vulnerable species, which now exists only in Gujarat.
Once ranging from the Middle East to India, the Asiatic lion is now confined to the Gir wildlife sanctuary in western Gujarat.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted the steady recovery, noting that the population has risen from 304 in 1995 to 674 in 2020, and now to 891 in 2025.
Government-led initiatives have played a crucial role in this steady rise.
The latest census, conducted over four days, covered more than 35,000 square kilometres across 11 districts in the state.
Priyavrat Gadhvi, former member of the state wildlife board, credited the success to effective conservation programs and strong political and community support.
“The involvement of local people living near forest areas has significantly contributed to the species’ protection,” he said.
Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions and have a distinctive fold of skin along their bellies. Their numbers dropped drastically to just 20 individuals in 1913 due to hunting and habitat loss.
Though their population has since grown, they remain at risk because they exist as a single subpopulation.
WWF has warned that genetic inbreeding poses a significant threat to the species, which could face extinction if struck by disease or a large-scale environmental disaster.
In Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, locals and lions share the landscape.
A cattle-rearing tribe lives in proximity to the big cats, and it’s common for motorists to pause on highways as a pride crosses the road.
Gir sanctuary attracts around 550,000 visitors annually, who tour the forest in open-top jeeps in hopes of spotting lions, leopards, panthers, and other big cats.
While tourism supports the local economy, conservationists stress the need for continued protection and possible relocation efforts to reduce risks to the single lion population.
Despite ongoing challenges, the increase to 891 lions signals progress and renewed hope for the future of the Asiatic lion in India.
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