Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Study Reveals Asiatic Lions Prefer Wild Prey
A new study found that Asiatic lions living along the coast of Gujarat, India, mostly eat wild animals like blue bulls and wild pigs, not farm animals.
This is important because people thought these lions moved to new areas to eat cows and other livestock.
The study shows that there are enough wild animals for the lions to eat, which helps reduce fights between lions and people.
The lions are also helping farmers by eating animals that damage crops.
The Gujarat government is working hard to protect these lions and their habitats.
A study found that Asiatic lions in coastal Gujarat rely primarily on wild prey (70% of biomass) rather than livestock (30%).
The blue bull (nilgai) is the primary prey, contributing 51% of the total biomass consumed by the lions.
The study contradicted the belief that lions expanded beyond Gir forests to prey on livestock, showing they can sustain themselves on wild prey.
Coastal ecosystems in Gujarat support over 100 Asiatic lions, reflecting the species' expansion beyond the Gir forests.
Conserving wild prey populations is essential for the long-term survival of Asiatic lions outside protected forests.
- Who
- Researchers from Gujarat's Forest Department and other institutions
- What
- A study on the dietary patterns of Asiatic lions in coastal Gujarat
- When
- March and April 2024 (study period), 2025 (population estimation)
- Where
- Coastal districts of Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and Porbandar, Gujarat, India
- Why
- To understand the dietary habits and ecological viability of Asiatic lions outside the Gir Protected Area
- Study Title
- Dietary Pattern of Asiatic Lions in the Coastal Ecosystem of Saurashtra, Gujarat, India
- Authors
- Mohan Ram, Aradhana Sahu, Nityanand Srivastava, Kritagnya Vadar, Rohit Chaudhary, Lahar Jhala
- Sample Size
- 160 lion scat samples
- Study Period
- March and April 2024
- Primary Prey
- Blue bull (nilgai)
- Wild Prey Contribution
- 70% of biomass consumed
- Livestock Contribution
- 30% of biomass consumed
- Lion Population
- 891 (as of 2025)