The recent news that eight Asiatic lions at Hyderabad’s Nehru Zoological Park tested positive for coronavirus has caused a stir. This is marked as the first known case of human-to-feline transmission in India, with a similar case involving a tiger being reported at the Bronx Zoo in New York in 2020. This article aims to provide key facts about the Asiatic lion, its distribution, threats, protection status, and conservation efforts, as well as a brief overview of Nehru Zoological Park.
About Asiatic Lions
Known as Persian or Indian Lion, the Asiatic Lion belongs to the Panthera Leo Leo subspecies, which is limited to India. Historically, these lions occupied West Asia and the Middle East until their extinction in those regions. The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin. Notably, an easily visible longitudinal fold of skin along its belly sets it apart, a feature rarely seen in African lions.
Distribution
The Asiatic lions once roamed across states like West Bengal in the east to Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India. Currently, Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary are the only homes to this particular species of lion. In 2020, the Gujarat Forest Department reported a population growth of Asiatic lions in the Gir forest region.
Threats
This lion subspecies faces threats from unpredictable events such as plagues or natural disasters. Poaching is another significant concern. In some cases, the locals near the Gir National Park retaliate by killing the lions following attacks on their livestock.
Protection Status
The Asiatic lion is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, placed under Appendix I in CITES, and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Conservation Efforts
To protect and conserve this endangered species, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched the “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project.” It was approved for the financial years between 2018 to 2021. This initiative aims to manage the conservation scientifically, involving communities, coordinating with multi-sectoral agencies for disease control, and providing veterinary care.
Nehru Zoological Park
Nehru Zoological Park, one of India’s largest zoos, is a top tourist attraction in Hyderabad, Telangana. The Telangana Government’s Forest Department manages it, and the zoo is named after Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister. Opened to the public in 1963, it’s located near the historic Mir Alam Tank, a 200-year-old multi-arch masonry dam, the first of its kind in the world.
