A lion safari in Gujarat, west India shows that in the land of the tiger, the ... - National Post
The Gir Forest in Gujarat , west India, is the last remaining home for Asiatic or Persian lions. If you go on an Indian lion safari you will be in for a bumpy ride. The Gir is 400 kilometres from Ahmedabad , which one brochure describes as “flourishing in pollution. Deciding to forgo some on-site attractions of the family-friendly Fern Resort in Sasan Gir – kite flying (seasonal), jiggery making, beginners’ kabaddi, lemon and egg racing, “Kho Kho” (tag), musical chairs and “Make Your Own Lion Pug Mask” – I... “Isn’t he handsome,” said my English-speaking guide, Mr. Bhikku. Ten yards from us, a lion was dozing off his early morning kill. Under a nearby flame tree, a group of lionesses picked at the carcass of their breakfast – a spotted chical deer. Vultures queued in the tree tops. “We are all vegetarians here,” smiled Mr. Bhikku. Our guide spoke of rock pythons and spectacle cobras. “Tigers are found across 17 Indian States, but lions only in one. The dry deciduous forests of northwest India, a one-hour flight from Mumbai , are the last remaining habitat of the Asiatic or Persian lion. Bhikku put his finger to his lips and whispered “Babbar sher. ” Another bloated lion panted. Source: news.nationalpost.com
