India’s lion population rises by a third

The Asiatic lion is now reduced to an isolated population in a wildlife sanctuary in India’s western state of Gujarat. - Photo: EPA-EFE

AHMEDABAD, (India): India’s Asiatic lion population has increased by over a third to 891, according to a five-yearly census released on Wednesday (May 21), boosting efforts to conserve the vulnerable species.

The Asiatic lion – which historically once roamed from the Middle East to India – is now reduced to an isolated population in a wildlife sanctuary in India’s western state of Gujarat.