Liontrust are proud sponsors of the global conservation charity ZSL and their efforts to protect the Asiatic lion from extinction, a partnership that stretches back nearly a decade.
London Zoo is home to a pride of Asiatic lions. An endangered species, there are fewer than 700 Asiatic lions remaining in the wild, and their dependency on one singular habitat in northwest India means the big cats are particularly vulnerable to natural disaster or a disease outbreak.
Male Bhanu and female Arya at London Zoo gave birth to three lion cubs in April 2024. These three cubs are not only a huge boost to the conservation breeding programme, which ensures a healthy population of lions are cared for in zoos to provide a vital safety net for the vulnerable wild population, but they will also inspire millions of people to care and take action for wildlife.
Liontrust and London Zoo asked primary school pupils from around the UK to nominate names for the three cubs. From the more than 650 names nominated by pupils, Liontrust and the lion keepers chose a shortlist of three names for each cub. Listeners to Times Radio and readers of The Times then voted on their favourite three names – Syanii, Mali and Shanti.
ZSL supports all efforts to protect Asiatic lions in the Gir and works with the Wildlife Institute of India to assist with conservation efforts – from sharing expertise to providing training for wildlife vets.
The iconic big cats which once roamed across Asia – from Turkey to Eastern India – are now found only in the Gir Forest in Gujarat, India. Thanks to conservation efforts, Asiatic lions were bought back from the brink of extinction and their numbers have risen slightly in the last decade, but their future is still precarious. Due to their limited range and reliance on a single habitat, Asiatic lions are particularly susceptible to disease outbreak or natural disaster.
ZSL, through its science and conservation efforts in the field and at ZSL London Zoo, is working to ensure a future for Asiatic lions. Liontrust’s partnership with London Zoo – run by ZSL – supports its mission to educate millions of people about wildlife and inspire them to act.
Five protected areas currently exist to protect the Asiatic lion in India: the Gir Sanctuary, Gir National Park and Pania Sanctuary form the Gir Conservation Area (GCA) covering an area of 20,000 km2 of forest representing the core habitat for the Asiatic lion. The other two wildlife sanctuaries, Mitiyala and Girnar, protect satellite areas within a lion’s range distance of the Gir Conservation Area.
ZSL London Zoo’s flagship exhibit Land of the Lions is an immersive and engaging hub for ZSL’s Asiatic lion conservation and education efforts, and an area sponsored by Liontrust. Transporting visitors from the heart of London to India’s vibrant Sasan Gir, people can get closer than ever before to the lions, while embarking on an adventure through the Indian-inspired experience. From exploring an Indian barber shop in the replica Sasan Gir high-street to a train-station, the exhibit truly gives visitors a sense of just how close lions and people live in India.
To find out more about the Land of the Lions, please click here.
