Asiatic Lion

Habitat

The Asiatic lion is native to the dense vegetation and grasslands in the Gir Forest of India.

Zoo Diet

Being top carnivores, our lions are fed a mixture of meat including chicken and rabbit.

Wild Diet

In the wild lions are opportunisitic hunters, and will eat antelope, deer, cattle and small mammals.

Behaviour

The Asiatic lion is smaller than their African cousin, but also live together in small family units called prides. Males and females both defend their territory by roaring, scent marking and patrolling.

Breeding

Males can mate with females at any time of the year and after a gestation period of around 3.5 months, up to six cubs can be born. The females rear the cubs, while the males protect them and will play with them, but have less investment than the females.

Conservation

This big cat is Endangered, facing threats of poaching and habitat degradation, with less than 600 individuals living in the wild today. The Gir Forest where they live is now a protected area, and there are conservation breeding programmes in European zoos.