Ahmedabad, August 10: India’s Asiatic lion population has climbed from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025 — a 32.2% surge — according to the 16th Lion Population Estimation report released on Sunday. The number of adult females grew from 260 to 330, a rise of nearly 27%, strengthening the species’ breeding potential.
The 2025 census marks the emergence of new satellite populations in Gujarat’s Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Jetpur, Babra-Jasdan, and surrounding areas. In total, 497 lions now live across nine satellite locations, with 22 recorded for the first time in corridor zones.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, in a post on X, hailed the growth as a “phenomenal success” and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for sustained conservation. “From 523 lions in 2015 to 891 in 2025, India has made remarkable strides. On World Lion Day, let us pledge to safeguard our lions and help them thrive,” he wrote.
Over the past decade, the Asiatic lion population has expanded by over 70%, with their range increasing nearly 60%. Amreli district leads with 82 adult males, 117 adult females, and 79 cubs. Mitiyala Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjoining areas recorded the fastest growth at 100%, followed by Bhavnagar Mainland at 84% and the South Eastern Coast at 40%. Conversely, Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary saw a 4% decline, while the Bhavnagar Coast dropped by 12%.
World Lion Day, observed annually on August 10, seeks to raise awareness about lion conservation. Once ranging from Turkey to India, Asiatic lions are now confined to Gujarat’s Saurashtra region.
