Lion Count in Gir on the up

Thanks to Steve Anyon-Smith for sending me this

Jon

Lion count in Gir forest up by 52
Express News Service Tags : Gir forest, Narendra Modi Posted: Mon May 03 2010, 01:44 hrs Ahmedabad:

The Gir forest, the last surviving home of Asiatic lions in the subcontinent, has finally brought some cheer to wildlife conservationists. According to the 2010 lion population estimate, there are 411 lions, an increase of 52 over the last count in 2005.
The announcement was made by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar on Sunday.
Also heartening is the presence of lions now found outside the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in the four districts of Amreli, Bhavnagar, Porbandar and Junagadh, in what is now called the Bruhud (Greater) Gir region.
Latest estimate shows an increase in the numbers of adult females lions as compared to males; there are 162 female lions and 97 male lions.
While Savarkundla, Liliya and adjoining areas of Amreli and Bhavnagar districts have shown a total 43 Asiatic Lions, the coastal areas near Una, Kodinar, Sutrapada and Chhara had around 21 Asiatic Lions. Of the total, 76 Asiatic Lions have been reported in the newer areas, 21 females and 26 males.