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 11-Aug-2025

World Lion Day 2025

Miscellaneous

Why in News?

World Lion Day is celebrated annually on 10th August. It was declared so in 2013 by Big Cat Rescue (world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to big cats).  

Asiatic Lions: Fact Sheet  
  • Size: Slightly smaller with mane less prominent than African counterparts. 
  • Unique Feature: Longitudinal skin fold along the belly, absent in African lions.  
  • Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, dense scrub, and open woodlands. 
  • 16th Lion Census (2025): Numbers grew from 523 in 2015 to 891 by 2025.   
    • Found in India at Gir Forest, Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, and a few zoological parks 
  • Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable || CITES: Appendix I || WPA, 1972: Schedule I 

Conservation Efforts: 

  • Project Lion (2020): 10 year-duration, implemented by the Gujarat State Government. 
    • Supported under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Development of Wildlife Habitat. 
  • International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) (2023): Foster global cooperation among 97 big cat range countries. 
  • Greater Gir Concept: Expands lion habitats beyond Gir National Park to Girnar, Pania, and Mitiyala Sanctuaries. 
  • Technological Innovations: GPS & GIS based real-time monitoring of lions and surveillance. Use of automated, magnetic and infrared sensors to track wildlife activity.