India holds five-yearly census of endangered asiatic #lions

Published on May 2, 2015

 

India on Saturday began a five-yearly count of asiatic lions in the western state of Gujarat's Gir sanctuary, the last habitat for the endangered big cats globally, an official said. -- PHOTO: AFP

AHMEDABAD (AFP) - India on Saturday began a five-yearly count of asiatic lions in the western state of Gujarat's Gir sanctuary, the last habitat for the endangered big cats globally, an official said.
The last census in 2010 revealed 411 lions were living in the 20,000 square kilometre sanctuary, up from 359 lions in 2005. Officials expect to record a significant increase in the number of wild cats in the latest count.

"The census that began today will continue until May 5 in five districts of the state. The lions which have migrated outside the sanctuary will also be counted," principal chief conservator of forests C. N. Pandey told AFP.

Officials said the experts conducting the census would use a combination of direct sightings, photographs and GPS tracking technology to document each lion and avoid double counting.

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