Did you know that lions live in Asia too? It is a known fact that they are the "Kings of Asia". Suddenly the population of lions has drastically come down due to global changes and human activities.
Unfortunately only less than 500 lions remains in Gir Forest, Region in Northwest India. They have the African cousins genetic variations. Gir lions are fair yellow in colour and have prominent ears and puffed tails. Fold of skin along the central underside of the belly. Manes are shorter and spread upto their excretory system as a line.
Wild boar, mouse deer, sambur deer, axis deer, blue bull and water cattle are their main hunts. Not only them, sometimes they attack domestic animals in the rural areas near Gir Forest. Gir lions also encounter threats.
Security has restricted them from poaching and fur hunting. But they are becoming risk habitat loss, farming breeds, increase of human population, cattle ranching and increase of new species (eg: cats and dogs.) are the main reasons to make Gir lions endangered animals. Let us gather to conserve Gir lions on behalf of the future generation.
Siyapath Kithulgodage,
Grade 9,
Lyceum International School,
Gampaha.