World Lion Day is annually observed across the globe on 10th August to raise awareness about Lions (Panthera Leo), highlight their conservation challenges, and promote efforts to protect their important role in ecosystems and cultural heritage worldwide.
- This year, August 10, 2025, marks the 13th edition of this important conservation event.
Exam Hints:
- Event: World Lion Day 2025
- Observed on: 10th August 2025
- 1st Observance: 2013
- Why? To Protect and Conserve the Lion population
- Initiative: Project Lion launched by PM Modi in 2020
- Global Initiative: International Big Cats Alliance (2023)
Background:
Initiation: World Lion Day was started by Big Cat Rescue (BCR), a wildlife sanctuary in Florida, United State of America(USA), dedicated to lion conservation and co-founded by Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
1st observance: The first observance of World Lion Day took place in 2013.
Partnership with National Geographic: In 2009, Dereck and Beverly Joubert partnered with National Geographic to launch the Big Cat Initiative (BCI) for big cat conservation.
About Lions:
Nickname – Lions are known as the “King of the Jungle” and are the world’s second-largest big cat after the Asian tiger.
Symbolism – Lions represent strength and courage and play an important role in keeping nature balanced.
Social Behaviour – Lions are social animals that live together in groups called prides.
Population Concentration – Three of the five largest lion populations are found in Tanzania.
Types of Lion Species
1.African Lion – Panthera leo leo inhabits the Sub-Saharan region of Africa.
2.Asiatic Lion – Panthera leo persica, also called the Indian lion, is found only in Gujarat’s Gir Forest National Park.
Conservation Status – According to the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the African lion is classified as ‘Vulnerable,’ while the Asiatic lion is listed as ‘Endangered.’
Lion Population:
IUCN Estimate – 23,000 to 39,000 lions remain in the wild.
Highest Population: Tanzania (East Africa) has approximately 14,500 wild lions, the highest in the world, primarily found in National Parks and Preserves.
Asiatic (Indian) Lion Status – 2025:
- Population Growth: Increased from 674 (2020) to 891 (2025), a 32.2% rise in 5 years; over 70% growth in the last decade.
- Distribution: Found only in Gir National Park (NP) & Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Gujarat, and satellite populations across 9 locations (including Barda WLS, Jetpur, Babra-Jasdan).
African Lion Population: A LionAid report from July 2025 provides more detailed regional estimates, suggesting about 13,014 lions in eastern and southern Africa, plus around 342 lions in western and central Africa—totaling roughly 13,356 African lions.
2025 Celebration in India:
On 10th August 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), in collaboration with the Forest and Environment Department, Government of Gujarat, celebrated World Lion Day 2025 at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Devbhumi Dwarka district, Gujarat.
- The event was graced by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC); Gujarat Chief Minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel; and Gujarat Forest Minister, Mulubhai Bera.
Lion Conservation Initiatives:
Global Initiatives: International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): Launched in April 2023, the IBCA aims to strengthen global cooperation among 97 countries for the conservation of big cats, including lions.
Initiatives in India: Project Lion is a 10-year initiative launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on 15th August 2020 during the 74th Independence Day celebrations with an approved budget of Rs 2,927.71 crore, is guided by the document “Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrit Kaal” to ensure the long-term conservation of Asiatic Lions.
