Endangered Indian lion population increases by 27%

Asiatic lioness at the Sasan Gir wildlife sanctuary. Image by Arian Zwegers / CC BY 2.0

Following reported increases in tiger numbers, the population of endangered Asiatic lions in India has grown from 411 in 2010 to 523 in 2015. Lions were once widespread in India, but habitat loss and hunting decimated the population and the remaining lions are mostly limited to Sasan Gir wildlife sanctuary in the western state of Gujarat. Indian conservationists say much of the credit should go to local farmers, who have reduced pollution and removed threats to the big cats such as open wells. Read more: indianexpress.com