World Lion Day 2024: Protecting the King of the Jungle
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | World Lion Day |
| Date | August 10th |
| 2024 Edition | 11th Anniversary |
| Purpose | Raise awareness about lion conservation and promote protection efforts. |
| Global Lion Population | ~20,000 (IUCN data) |
| Indian Lion Population | 674 (2020 Lion Census, Gir Forest National Park, Gujarat) |
| Lion Subspecies | - African Lion (Panthera leo leo): Sub-Saharan Africa - Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica): Gir Forest, India |
| Conservation Status | - African Lion: Vulnerable (IUCN) - Asiatic Lion: Endangered (IUCN) |
| Legal Protection | - CITES: Appendix I (Indian population), Appendix II (others) - India: Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, Schedule I |
| Threats | Habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, climate change |
| Conservation Efforts | - International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): 97 countries - India: Project Lion, Asiatic Lion Conservation Project |
| Unique Characteristics | Social groups (prides), manes, roaring range up to 8 km, whisker spot patterns |
| Asiatic vs African Lions | - Habitat: Gir vs Sub-Saharan Africa - Size: Smaller manes, slightly smaller - Behavior: More solitary vs larger prides |
| Significance of 2024 | Raise awareness, promote conservation, encourage public participation, highlight ecological role. |