From the Gir Forest in the Indian state of Gujarat, specimens were transferred to the west coast of the country.

At least a hundred Asian lions have reached the country’s west coast from the Gir Forest in the Indian state of Gujarat. According to experts, this unusual phenomenon indicates that their natural habitat is “shrinking”. Usually, he reports to BBC Wildlife expert Dr. Nishith Dhariya struggled to adapt the lions to the coastal conditions, but “ due to lack of territory, they have no other choice“. Gir Forest, based on estimates from the local forestry department, will have around 400 lions in 2020, while about 275 lions are believed to live in remaining natural habitats that have become “crowded”.

At one time the species was widespread throughout the country, but their numbers had dwindled to a dozen by the early 20th century, mainly due to hunting and drought. Since then, efforts to save them from extinction, through the creation of a protected area – the Gir Forest Wildlife Refuge – have allowed population growth, but since the 1990s more and more specimens have begun to reach coastal areas. ” Each lion usually takes up an area of ​​about 100 square kilometers, and this area also includes three to four female lions living with their cubs. – explains Shyamal Tikadar, senior state forestry official -. When the cubs grow up, they either take over the old lion’s territory or leave it in search of a new one.“.

Lions reach the coast by following the River Heran, which flows through the Gir Forest and empties into the Arabian Sea in the district of Somnath. This suggests that people like Uday Shah – who owns a waterfront ranch in the Veraval district, 80km from the Gir forest – are now used to seeing lions on the beach on a regular basis. ” At first, when we first saw them, we were scared, but now they don’t bother us anymoresaid the Shah.

Natha Parmar, who owns a farm near the Wonder River, also said she and other farmers in the area are learning to live with care and respect with lions. It helps that so far the lions have not attacked humans. ” When we meet a lion, we stop and make room for them or we change our ways without disturbing them.said Parmar who, despite having lost at least a dozen calves to this big cat in recent years, also spoke of the unexpected benefits derived from this coexistence. ” Previously, we had to deal with herds of wild boars and bulls, which would destroy all our crops. Now this problem is almost solved“.