World Lion Day

World Lion Day

News: To spread awareness about conservation of these animals, August 10 is celebrated as World Lion Day. On this day, the world talks about the “King of the Jungle.”

Significance:
• The day looks to enhance awareness among public about different programmes and the urgent need for conservation of lions.
• The species has been designated as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to data available, there are approximately 30,000 to 100,000 lions left worldwide.
• To ensure the existence of lions, public awareness of the threats they face, protection of natural habitats and building more such habitats are the need of the hour.

Lions in India:
• Except for Africa and India, the population of lions has dwindled globally.
• In Gujarat’s Gir forest, which is home to lions, their population has been increasing gradually.
• In Gir and the larger Saurashtra region, the population of Asiatic lions, a distant relative of the much larger African lions, have gradually increased after initially experiencing a decline. The number of these lions has risen from 523 to 674 in a span of five years from 2015 to 2020.

Facts about Asiatic Lion in India:
• Scientific name – Panthera Leo Persica
• Status – listed in Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, in Appendix I of CITES and as Endangered on IUCN Red List.