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| Gir National Park |
Gir
National
Park,
located
in
the
Indian
state,
Gujarat,
is
an
important
wildlife
sanctuary
of
Asia
owing
to
the
number
of
endangered
species
that
it
supports.
The
species
of
Asiatic Lion India
managed
to
rescue
from
extinction
have
flourished
in
this
national
park.
In
recent
times,
it
is
the
only
natural
abode
of
Asiatic
lions
on
the
planet.
Owing
to
the
efforts
of
wildlife
activists,
forest
department
and
NGOs,
the
population
of
this
animal
species
has
seen
a
steady
increase
over
the
years.
It
is
one
of
the
big
cats
found
in
India;
others
being
the
Indian
Leopard,
Clouded
Leopard,
Bengal
Tiger
and
Snow
Leopard.
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| Gir National Park Asiatic lion |
Johann
N.
Meyer,
an
Austrian
zoologist,
had
first
described
the
Asiatic
lion
under
the
zoological
name,
'Felis
leo
persicus'.
As
compared
to
the
African
lion,
it
has
a
lesser
developed
mane
and
larger
tail
tuft.
Since
it
formerly
occurred
in
Persia,
it
is
also
known
as
the
'Persian
Lion'.
The
advent
of
firearms
was
largely
responsible
for
the
extinction
of
Asiatic
lions
in
regions
like
Palestine,
Baluchistan,
Mesopotamia,
Iran
and
Turkey.
As
they
are
well-preserved
in
Gir,
the
national
park
has
become
a
favourite
destination
of
many
wildlife
lovers
who
desire
to
catch
a
glimpse
of
this
animal.
An
accommodation in Gir
gives
them
the
opportunity
to
explore
different
species
of
flora
and
fauna
in
the
wildlife
sanctuary.
This
national
park
is
open
to
visitors
from
the
month
of
November
to
May.
It
remains
closed
during
the
rainy
season
which
falls
between
the
months
of
June
and
October.
Winter
season
from
December
to
March
is
the
best time to visit Gir for
tourists,
as
the
climate
is
pleasant
around
this
time
of
the
year
and
there
are
greater
chances
of
spotting
lions
and
other
wild
animals.
They
can
also
learn
more
about
the
wildlife
of
this
region
at
the
Interpretation
Zone
in
Gir.
