Area of safe haven carved out for lions in Gujarat, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Gujarat forest department is establishing a 100-hectare enclosure at the Ambardi Safari Park in Amreli district.
• This facility is designed to house Asiatic lions that have attacked humans, aiming to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.
• The initiative is part of Gujarat's broader wildlife management strategy and was announced ahead of World Lion Day.
• The enclosure will provide a natural environment for these lions, differing from conventional zoo captivity.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Asiatic lion population in Gujarat has significantly increased, reaching an estimated 891 individuals in 2025, up from 674 in 2020.
• This population growth has led to lions expanding their range beyond the Gir Protected Area, increasing encounters with human settlements.
• The Ambardi Safari Park, located near Dhari in Amreli district, spans approximately 365 hectares and replicates the Gir ecosystem.
• The Asiatic lion is classified as 'Endangered' by the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• This measure is intended to reduce conflict without compromising long-term lion conservation, complementing efforts like Project Lion.
• Previously, lions involved in human attacks were often relocated to zoos like Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Interactions between wild animals and humans that result in negative impacts on human social, economic, or cultural life, on the conservation of wildlife populations, or on the environment.
• Ex-situ Conservation: Conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats, such as in zoos, botanical gardens, or specialized enclosures.
• IUCN Red List: The world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species, categorizing species based on their extinction risk.