Species

ASIATIC LION (Panthera leo persica)

Asiatic Lion, one of the big cats found only in Gir forest of Saurashtra region is the State Animal of Gujarat State. It is in Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. As per the last census during the year 2005, the population of lions is 359. The lion has many satellitic populations in the adjoining areas of Gir like the coastal border towards Kodinar, Girnar forests near Junagadh, Hipavadlle of Mahuva taluka in Bhavnagar etc. the big cat prefers Savannah type of open habitat and the principal preys of the animal are herbivores animals like chital, nilgai, sabar etc. The Asiatic lion is relatively smaller compared to African lion and weighs around 175-200 kg. whereas the African lion weighs around 225 kg. The prominent belly fold and smaller mane also differentiates it from the African lion. The female gives birth to 2-4 cubs in a litter. The lion is a social animal and prefers living in a group which is popularly known as 'Pride'.

It is believed that the lion originated in central Europe and subsequently moved towards south-east in to north - western Asia. From there the lion moved towards Africa through Palestine and Egypt and to India through Arabia and Mesopotemia. As per the study, it is established that the Asiatic and African lions are separated for about one lac years (Richardson, 1992).

As per the records, the population of lion was distributed in a larger range from Sindh, Malwa, Haryana, Bihar, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Mt. Abu etc. There are records of lions at all the places which shows that the distribution of range of lion was entire north and eastern part of India.

THE SLOTH BEAR (Ursus ursinus)

Sloth Bear is found in forests of Jessore Sanctuary in Banaskantha, Balaram-Ambaji Sanctuary in Sabarkantha, Ratanmahals Sanctuary in Dahod and Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary in Narmada districts. It prefers a habitat of undulating and rocky terrain with dense forests. It is crepuscular in habit and its diet consists of flowers and fruits, tubers, termite, honey etc. Its longevity is around 35 years and gestation period is around seven months at the end of which generally the female gives birth to two cubs. It is found near water sources and the fruit bearing trees like ber, mahuva, ambo, jamun etc. when the trees bear fruits. Mahuva flowers are the most preferred diet of bear and, therefore, when the mahuva trees flower, it is always possible that the bears would be in the vicinity. As per the last census, the total number of the bears in the state is around "247 (as per 2006 census)". There are four kinds of bears in India.