"The Lion of India"
The Asiatic Lion is known purely for it's wild strength and royal charisma. It has been mythologically linked as well. The Asiatic lion is also known as the Indian lion, Panthera leo persica, the sub-species that once ranged from Greece to central India. Eversince ages this king of the jungle has played a major role in the form of symbols in folklore.

Habitat
The Indian barbary lion can be seperated from the African lion due to it's breath. The Asiatic Lion became extinct by the begining of 20th century and could only be located in the Saurashtra Range or the Gir Forests.

The disappearance of open grass and scrub forestlands under the plow, the increase in agriculture, better arms for the hunter and the political tempest and settlement of human communities throughout its erstwhile range of distribution was the main cause of its wide-ranging extinction.

The Asiatic Lion
The Asiatic lion is a gregarious creature and prides often hunt in concert to separate and drive the selected prey to other members of the pride lying in ambush.

The Asiatic lion has long been celebrated as Lord of Beasts, and it became a symbol for human power and sovereignty. In ancient societies in India, to fight with a lion was considered to be the ultimate test of leadership. This gradually shifted to a somewhat safer, more symbolic gesture of a leader clothing himself in or standing on a lion skin.

The Big Threat
As India’s population grew and began cultivating or settling more and more of its forest and scrublands, the Asiatic lion was squeezed nearly out of existence. Early this century the Gir Forest area in the state of Gujarat on the west coast was afflicted with a terrible famine brought on by a severe drought: one so devastating that it is still mentioned in the folklore of the region. Because of the strained circumstances, the lion population began preying on the human population in the area. This prompted a massive backlash against the lions, resulting in a catastrophic decline in their population. In 1910 there were reported to be fewer than two dozen lions left in the wild although this low figure may have been publicised to discourage lion hunting - census data from the time indicates the population was probably closer to 100.

Symbol of Power
The Asiatic lion has long been celebrated as Lord of Beasts, and it became a symbol for human power and sovereignty. In ancient societies in India, to fight with a lion was considered to be the ultimate test of leadership.

It has gradually been shifted to safer natural habitats else it had been the main target of poaching in the sub-continent. The lion skin had been the most priced apparel of it's kind and has enticed wild instincts amongst the wild minds. The most important use of the lion as a symbol of power and strength was associated with the Emperor Asoka in Sarnath, 2000 years ago. This depiction of a lion eventually became the symbol for the modern Republic of India

The only place to see Asiatic Lion in India - Gir National Park ( Junagarh , Gujarat.)

The Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary is the only place to see Asiatic lions in the wild, and the Government of India has started making serious endeavours to make this unique spectacle visible to tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. Guided jeep safaris through the Gir are available for observing lions. The lions are not afraid of people or vehicles therefore these safaris can offer very intimate views of the animals. Sometimes lions will actually approach and look over a vehicle in their midst.