Lion King

Young male Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) resting in the shade in it's home in the GIr Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary located in Sasan on the Girnar Mountain range in Gujarat India,

The lions form the top carnivores in the ecological pyramid within the National Park that was declared a protected area when the lions' count dwindled to only 20 in 1990 due to rampant hunting, The population now numbers 545 after a very successful conservation effort was launched to help save them,

Apart from the primary consumers and herbivores the lions also prey on the cattle of the tribal nomadic herdsmen community called "Maldharis" who coexist peacefully within the National Park and protected area utilizing the forest's natural resources for their livelihood. Their continued active participation along with Park Officials played a major role in the conservation efforts.

Unlike Africa where the national parks are open grassland with isolated wooded areas and sighting wildlife is relatively easier Sasan-Gir,is a forest of dense wooded deciduous vegetation and the terrain is mountainous so sightings are difficult and rare unless the lions venture out into the open or to water holes. The sanctuary is open only in the winter and early summer, During late summer and monsoon the park is closed because dense vegetation makes any sighting at all impossible.
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