Asiatic Lions Reoccupy Gujarat's Barda Wildlife Sanctuary After Nearly 144 Years, Study Finds

Key facts

• Asiatic lions have returned to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after nearly 144 years, with the last known record there dating back to 1879, according to a study published in PLOS One.
• The study, titled 'Beyond Gir: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a Potential Stronghold for Asiatic Lions', was conducted by scientists from the Gujarat Forest Department and Banda University of Agriculture and Technology.
• Barda Wildlife Sanctuary spans 192.31 sq km in Gujarat's Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts in the Saurashtra region.
• A male lion naturally arrived in 2023, the Gujarat Forest Department introduced five females, and by August 2025 the sanctuary had 17 lions, including six adults and 11 cubs, per the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Researchers radio-collared six lions (one male and five females) and estimated their average home range at approximately 70.55 sq km; the lions' diet included wild pigs and domestic cattle, with spotted deer and sambar reintroduced to strengthen the prey base.
• According to the 2025 Lion Population Estimation Report, Gujarat recorded 891 Asiatic lions compared with 674 in 2020, an increase of about 32% in five years.
• A safari park covering around 248 hectares was announced as a planned project in 2025, and visitors should confirm its operational status with the Gujarat Forest Department before travelling.