Asiatic Lion ranged once from the Mediterranean to India, covering most of Southwest Asia where it was also known as the Persian Lion.  The Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) is a subspecies of the lion which survives today only in India and hence it is also known as the Indian lion.

The current wild population consists of around 300 odd restricted to the Gir Forest in the state of Gujarat, India.


The historic distribution included the Caucasus to Yemen and from Macedon to present-day India through Iran (Persia), & even Pakistan through Bangladesh borders.


Asian lions are highly social animals, living in units called prides. Asiatic lion prides are much smaller than those of African lions, with an average of only 2 females compared to the African pride, which has an average of 4-6.

The males are also less social and only associate with the pride when mating or on a large kill.