Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 58, October 2006, pp. 1-13.

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The Asiatic or Persian Lion (Panthera
leo persica, Meyer 1826) in Palestine
and the Arabian and Islamic Region
By: Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Khalaf-von Jaffa
The Asiatic or Persian Lion (Panthera leo persica) is a subspecies of lion (Panthera leo).
The last remnant of the Asiatic Lion, which in historical times ranged from Caucasus to
Yemen and from Macedonia to India through Arabia and Iran (Persia), lives in the Gir
Forest National Park of western India. About 350 lions (August 2005) live in a 1,412 km²
(558 square miles) sanctuary in the state of Gujarat. In 1907 there were only 13 lions left
in the Gir, when the Nawab of Junagadh gave complete protection to them.
Persian Lion, is similar to a tiger in the length of body and tail, but differs in skin colour
which is tawny overall without the appearance of dark vertical stripes. Coat is thicker
than African lions, with a longer black tail tassel and a more prominent tuft of hair on the
elbows. Black patches are visible at the back of the ears. However, there is little variation
in colour between the sides of its body and its abdomen, and between the inner surface of
the limbs and the outer surface.
There is even one example of a melanistic Persian lion. The archaeologist Sir Austen
Henry Layard reports that he saw a very big Persian lion, which was described as being
"very dark brown in colour, in parts almost black."
Males are larger in size than females. The size of the mane varies from race to race with
the Persian race having a smaller mane than the African one. The colouration of the
manes varies from lion to lion. The only rare ones are the very dark manes, which
according to a research done in Africa are the ones preferred by lionesses. The young are
sometimes born with an even colour overall, but often a row of patches is visible on the
upper surface of the body; seeming like a horizontal stripe. Patches usually disappear
after 6 months but may still be visible up two or more years.
Lions mostly live in large prides. These prides can sometimes have up to 3 adult males
but it is always one that is the dominant leader. The males are known for their laziness
and lordship like behaviour. The females do all the hunting, with the males only rarely
joining in when the prey is a very large animal like an aggressive buffalo. However, once
the kill is made, the males always get the first go at the meal.
The bonding among a family of lions is extremely strong with aunts and sisters helping in
the bringing up of all young. Females stay with the pride all through life, whereas the
males tend to set out on their own around the age of three. They mostly lead solitary lives
then onwards but have been known to also roam territories in pairs and trios. These
Gazelle – Number 58 – October 2006