In what ways are Gir Lions of India more superior than their African counterparts
etimes.in | Jan 2, 2025, 10.42 AM IST
Just like many Indians who work long hours, the Asiatic lions of Gir National Park in Gujarat have shown an impressive work ethic in their daily lives. Recent study has revealed some interesting differences in the activity levels and patterns of these lions compared to their African relatives in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.
The hustle heroes of the jungleAsiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir are proving to be the ultimate hustle heroes of the animal kingdom. While their African cousins at Tanzania's Serengeti spend a staggering 88% of their time resting, the hardworking Asiatic lions seem to have inherited a strong work ethic, remaining active for about 37% of their day and resting for just 63%. This remarkable difference was highlighted in a recent study titled Activity of Asiatic Lions in Relation to Activity of Prey and Kleptoparasitism, conducted by researchers from Dehradun's Wildlife Institute of India.
The research team found that these big cats dedicate a significant portion of their day to various activities, including moving (23.3%), feeding (7.9%), patrolling (5.2%), mating (0.3%), and hunting (0.2%). In contrast, Serengeti lions spend only 12% of their time on the move, with 8% for travelling and 4% for hunting. Kausik Banerjee, one of the researchers, noted, “The study in Gir has been on for almost two decades, long enough to document the complete lifespan of individual lions.”
Hard-working night shiftsThe study also uncovered interesting nocturnal behaviours among Gir lions. Unlike Serengeti lions, which have a simple activity pattern peaking between 5pm and 6pm, Gir lions have a more complex schedule. They remain active from 8pm to 2am, and again from 6am to 7am, with peak activity occurring around 1:20am.
Interestingly, there is a gender divide in these activity patterns. Male lions tend to roam larger territories compared to females, who stay within smaller areas. Males patrol up to six female prides and are over 23 times more likely to patrol than females. Lionesses, on the other hand, are more active during the day partly because they lack a mane, which helps them cope with the heat. And so, while the males hunt and prowl and patrol through the night, the female prides rest along, protecting the cubs in close proximity.
When it comes to hunting preferences during the night-to-early-morning peak activity period, females typically hunt after midnight while males prefer early morning hours.
Coexisting with humans
One reason for these unique behaviours is that Gir lions live very close to humans. Of the 13,000 sq km that make up their habitat, only 259 sq km the Gir National Park is free from human activity. The rest is shared with a human population density of around 700 per sq km, forcing these big cats to adapt their routines significantly.
The study notes that “lions are more nocturnal in areas where mean annual temperatures are high, where there is little ambush cover to stalk prey or where they are persecuted by humans.” Despite this challenge, Gir lions have learned to thrive in shared spaces by seeking refuge in small patches scattered throughout agricultural landscapes.
Even within protected areas such as Gir National Park, human presence is significant in the form of wildlife tourism and livestock herding by local communities. This means that lion activity patterns remain similar both inside and outside protected areas. Inside Gir National Park, where they have better cover and relatively less human interference, the lions mainly hunt at dawn. Outside the park, they switch to late-night hunting to avoid contact with humans. Even with these changes, human-lion conflicts still rise, especially in areas where human settlements are relatively new.
Livestock vs Wild Prey
According to the study, livestock has become a significant part of the diet for Gir lions due to its availability near human settlements. The lions have synchronised their hunting patterns with livestock movements, for instance, lionesses often hunt livestock later in the morning after herders corral their animals at night.
While wild prey like sambar and chital remains important, livestock constitutes a considerable portion of what these big cats consume. The research highlights that although there is a high density of livestock within Gir National Park, around 31 animals per sq km only a small portion is accessible for predation due to competition with other predators like leopards.
The Asiatic lions of Gir exemplify resilience and adaptability in an environment shared with humans. Their unique work ethic marked by increased activity levels and nocturnal hunting behaviours sets them apart from African lions. As they continue to thrive amidst challenges posed by human encroachment and environmental pressures, understanding these dynamics becomes crucial for conservation efforts.
The hustle heroes of the jungleAsiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir are proving to be the ultimate hustle heroes of the animal kingdom. While their African cousins at Tanzania's Serengeti spend a staggering 88% of their time resting, the hardworking Asiatic lions seem to have inherited a strong work ethic, remaining active for about 37% of their day and resting for just 63%. This remarkable difference was highlighted in a recent study titled Activity of Asiatic Lions in Relation to Activity of Prey and Kleptoparasitism, conducted by researchers from Dehradun's Wildlife Institute of India.
Hard-working night shiftsThe study also uncovered interesting nocturnal behaviours among Gir lions. Unlike Serengeti lions, which have a simple activity pattern peaking between 5pm and 6pm, Gir lions have a more complex schedule. They remain active from 8pm to 2am, and again from 6am to 7am, with peak activity occurring around 1:20am.
Interestingly, there is a gender divide in these activity patterns. Male lions tend to roam larger territories compared to females, who stay within smaller areas. Males patrol up to six female prides and are over 23 times more likely to patrol than females. Lionesses, on the other hand, are more active during the day partly because they lack a mane, which helps them cope with the heat. And so, while the males hunt and prowl and patrol through the night, the female prides rest along, protecting the cubs in close proximity.
When it comes to hunting preferences during the night-to-early-morning peak activity period, females typically hunt after midnight while males prefer early morning hours.
Coexisting with humans
One reason for these unique behaviours is that Gir lions live very close to humans. Of the 13,000 sq km that make up their habitat, only 259 sq km the Gir National Park is free from human activity. The rest is shared with a human population density of around 700 per sq km, forcing these big cats to adapt their routines significantly.
The study notes that “lions are more nocturnal in areas where mean annual temperatures are high, where there is little ambush cover to stalk prey or where they are persecuted by humans.” Despite this challenge, Gir lions have learned to thrive in shared spaces by seeking refuge in small patches scattered throughout agricultural landscapes.
Even within protected areas such as Gir National Park, human presence is significant in the form of wildlife tourism and livestock herding by local communities. This means that lion activity patterns remain similar both inside and outside protected areas. Inside Gir National Park, where they have better cover and relatively less human interference, the lions mainly hunt at dawn. Outside the park, they switch to late-night hunting to avoid contact with humans. Even with these changes, human-lion conflicts still rise, especially in areas where human settlements are relatively new.
Livestock vs Wild Prey
According to the study, livestock has become a significant part of the diet for Gir lions due to its availability near human settlements. The lions have synchronised their hunting patterns with livestock movements, for instance, lionesses often hunt livestock later in the morning after herders corral their animals at night.
While wild prey like sambar and chital remains important, livestock constitutes a considerable portion of what these big cats consume. The research highlights that although there is a high density of livestock within Gir National Park, around 31 animals per sq km only a small portion is accessible for predation due to competition with other predators like leopards.
The Asiatic lions of Gir exemplify resilience and adaptability in an environment shared with humans. Their unique work ethic marked by increased activity levels and nocturnal hunting behaviours sets them apart from African lions. As they continue to thrive amidst challenges posed by human encroachment and environmental pressures, understanding these dynamics becomes crucial for conservation efforts.
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