Where do Asiatic lions live?

Asiatic lions live only in the Indian state of Gujarat, where five sanctuaries have been created to protect them. They once had a much wider range which extended from Greece in the west to the Indian state of Bengal in the east.

The Asiatic lion is a subspecies distinguished from its African relatives by its smaller size and a fold of skin that runs the length of the abdomen. Its behavior is similar to that of the African lion. The Asiatic lions are threatened by poaching and human encroachment on their habitat. The Indian government has taken steps to restrict use of the lions' home ranges for pasturing livestock and has resettled nearby human populations to reduce conflict between humans and lions.