ASIATIC LIONS

Subject :Environment

Context : In a first in India, 8 Asiatic lions test positive for Covid-19 in Hyderabad zoo

Concept :

Asiatic lion (Pantheraleopersica)

Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions.
Males have only moderate mane growth at the top of the head so that their ears are always visible.
The most striking morphological character, which is always seen in Asiatic lions, and rarely in African lions, is a longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.
Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 also lists Asiatic lion in Schedule 1.
CITES included Asiatic Lion in Appendix I.
It is mentioned in IUCN Red List as Endangered
Asiatic lions were once distributed to the state of West Bengal in east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India.
At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.