Save us! An intimate and stunning photo portrait of the last remaining Asiatic lions fighting for survival in the Indian forests

By PAMELA OWEN

A rare Asiatic lioness sits with her two cubs in India's Gir Forest - the only place on Earth where the animals roam freely

These pictures show some of the only Asiatic lions left on Earth which roam freely in a forest in India.
Taken by award-winning wildlife photographer Uri Golman they show the rare species in their natural environment in the Gir Forest in the western state of Gujarat.
There are only about 411 of the big cats, including 150 adults, left in the wild but according to scientist Dr Luke Hunter they are quickly outgrowing their habitat and one of their only chances of survival is relocation.
Indian lion expert Dr Ravi Chellam has already developed plans for the relocation to the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in a neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh.
However, the state government of Gujarat is refusing to give permission and wildlife critics have said it is because authorities are trying to protect the income brought in from tourists.

The rare lions cubs and their mother are only three of about 411 left in the world but thanks to conservation efforts the population is increasing

The lions are not as big as their African cousins but have longer tufts of hair and are more orange in colour. Historically they roamed Greece through to Iran and all the way to India and were used by the Romans in gladiator fights at the Colosseum.
But sadly loss of habitat and poaching has meant a dramatic decrease in numbers and the species is now endangered.
Their main source of prey is chital deer and livestock and it is one of the five major cats found in India. The others are the Bengal tiger, the Indian leopard, the snow leopard and clouded leopard.

The lions are not as big as the African species but have longer tufts of hair than their cousins. Not many people are aware of their existence in the wild

Historically the lions ranged from Greece through to Iran and all the way to India and they were the big cats used by the Romans in gladiator fights at the Colosseum

There is a population of about 411 lions in the Gir Forest including 150 adults, but it is thought they are outgrowing their habitat and need more space

The only chance of survival for the lions is relocation and plans have been put in place to move some to the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in the neighboring Indian state of Madhya Pradesh but the authorities won't allow it

The main source of prey for the cats is chital deer and livestock but there is often conflict between the lions and locals when this happens

It is believed the authorities will not give permission for the relocation because the state does not want to lose the tourist trade associated with them

The Asiatic lion is one of the five major big cats found in India, the others being the Bengal tiger, the Indian leopard, the snow leopard and clouded leopard

Every year tourists flock to see the rare species of lion in India but it is hoped the species can be saved and grow larger

source: dailymail