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August 10 of every year is always special, and they have been even more so since in 2015 a lion died because of a man who only wanted his teeth. This was and is the terrible reality that this feline species lives, which is in danger of extinction due to poaching by humans and climate change.
The lion that gave the date to this great day was Cecil the lion, in 2015 , in exchange for being the prey of a 60-year-old American dentist who just wanted to have fun. He caught it by spending 50,000 euros in Zimbabwe.
The lion is classified as the king of the jungle and its stay on earth has decreased by 40% in the last two decades because of people who hunt for fun. Its habitat is also being harmed, therefore, a charismatic, imposing, dominant animal with a respectable wingspan, is being rejected by humanity.
On the occasion of World Lion Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation and addressed the importance of lions for the wildlife and environment.
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) PM Modi wrote, "World Lion Day is an occasion to celebrate the majestic lions that captivate our hearts with their strength and magnificence. India is proud to be home to the Asiatic Lions and over the last few years, there has been a steady rise in the lion population in India. I laud all those working towards protecting the habitat of lions. May we continue to cherish and protect them, ensuring they thrive for generations to come."
World Lion Day: History
The decline of lion populations by approximately 80 per cent in the past century traced back the history of World Lion Day. Conservation enthusiasts Dereck and Beverly Joubert took the lead in establishing World Lion Day in 2013. They collaborated with National Geographic and initiated the Big Cat Initiative (BCI) in 2009 to safeguard and preserve the world's remaining lion species.
World Lion Day is observed annually on August 10th to celebrate and raise awareness about these majestic big cats and their conservation. Lions, often referred to as the "king of the jungle," are iconic and powerful creatures that hold cultural, ecological, and symbolic significance.
The day aims to shed light on the challenges faced by lions in the wild, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. It also serves as an opportunity to appreciate the importance of lions in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and the biodiversity of their habitats.
Significance
Lions play a crucial role in ecology and the environment, making World Lion Day significant as it serves as a reminder. These apex predators contribute to the overall ecological balance by regulating herbivore populations.
The Asiatic Lion, sometimes known as the Persian or Indian Lion, was once widespread throughout parts of Asia. However, the species gradually disappeared from these areas. Local and British authorities in India caused their population decline through large-scale animal hunting. As a result, certain regions of North India experienced their extinction by the 1880s. Asiatic Lions now inhabit Gujarat exclusively as their last remaining habitat.
Number of lions in India
The Guardian report suggests that about 400 lions are now living in the Gir National Park and another 300 are in other locations throughout Gujarat, which represents a considerable rise in the population of these threatened species. Lions in the Gir National Park have ventured into settlements and agricultural areas owing to insufficient space. Over the years, conservationists have demanded that the government move lions to another part of the country to prevent overcrowding of lions at Gir.
How the king of the jungle lives
Depending on the gender, lions have a totally different life. They are fully carnivorous, that is, they only eat meat. They live in flat places with abundant grass. Lion have a life expectancy of 15 years and live in a herd , although the males become independent when they reach maturity, the females do not separate throughout their lives. They are in charge of hunting while the males are the first to devour their prey.
Their roars are very characteristic, they have a wave force of up to eight kilometers, they communicate through roars, they warn with this type of communication, and within a radius of 250 kilometers their territory is usually marked with urine. August 10 has become a tribute to Cecil , for all the fur, teeth, meat and bones that have been obtained for trade and hobbies.
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