Blog Details

Gir National Park

Gir lion safari

• Author : Adeeb Sahil
• Date : August 08, 2025

The Gir Forest is located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India. It is the only place in the world where Asiatic lions live in the wild. These lions are different from African lions, and you can see them by going on a Gir lion safari. They live in smaller groups and have learned to survive near villages, farms, and people. The total area of this forest is approximately 1,900 square kilometers, consisting of Gir National Park and a wildlife sanctuary.

Asiatic lions have become used to this environment. They move through areas that have both wild animals and human activities. Because of this, it is important to study how they behave. Understanding how lions live helps in making better plans to keep them safe and healthy. One special behaviour that researchers have studied is how lions use smell to send messages. This is called scent-marking. Lions do this to show where their area is, to talk to other lions, and to find a mate. A study was done to learn more about how this scent-marking works in the Gir Forest. This study helped people understand more about how lions live and communicate.

Why This Study Was Done

Animals often use smell to send signals to each other. This is especially true for meat-eating animals like lions. For lions, using smell is a way to survive. There is nothing coincidental or just by chance. They use it for important reasons.

This study was done to find out how Asiatic lions use scent to do three main things. First, they use it to protect their territory. When a lion leaves its smell in a place, it is like a warning for other lions to stay away. Second, lions use scent to find mates. Female lions, when they are ready to have babies, leave special smells that male lions can sense. Third, lions use scent to communicate without needing to meet face-to-face. This kind of communication helps avoid fights and helps lions understand who is in the area.

By learning about these behaviours, researchers and forest officers can better protect lions. They can make rules and plans that keep the lions' natural ways of living safe.

Where And How The Study Was Done

The study was done in Gir National Park and nearby areas, covering the whole 1,900 square kilometres. Researchers found 36 places where they thought lions were marking their area with scent. They guessed this by looking at signs like scratch marks on trees and claw marks.

To study the lions without disturbing them, the team used cameras that work with motion sensors. These cameras had infrared lights so they could record even at night. The study duration was from March 2022 to April 2024. This time included all types of weather, like heavy rain during monsoon and very hot summers.

In these two years, the cameras recorded more than 15,000 animal activities. Out of these, 1,542 videos showed lions. The researchers carefully studied every video. They noted what the lions were doing - like smelling, scratching, rubbing, spraying urine, or climbing trees. The study was difficult because of the weather and the large area, but it gave very useful and accurate information.

What The Researchers Saw

Main Actions

The most common action seen in the videos was lions smelling different things. Sniffing makes up nearly 40 percent of lion activity. This helps them understand who was in the area before. Scratching was the second most common action, making up about 30%. Spraying urine came next with 12%. All of these actions help spread the lion’s smell in the area. Sometimes, lions were also seen rubbing against trees or climbing them, especially the younger lions. This might be part of learning or exploring their surroundings.

Who Did What

The study also found differences in which lions were doing these actions. Male lions were seen marking their area more often. They did this more near the groups (called prides) where females and young lions live. This shows that male lions are more active in showing ownership of land. Female lions also marked places with scent, but mostly when they were ready to mate. Young lions, also called sub-adults, were seen visiting the same trees again and again. This may be how they learn the scent-marking behaviours they will use as adults.

When It Happened

The time of day was important. Most scent-marking actions happened early in the morning. The videos showed that scratching actions occurred at approximately 3:44 a.m., and urine spraying actions occurred at approximately 4:17 a.m. This means that lions have a regular daily routine for scent-marking. The winter season recorded the most scent-marking behaviours. Winter is also the time when lions move around more and when they usually mate. This could be why they leave more scent during that time.

Which Trees Lions Used Most

In Gir National Park, lions mostly marked two kinds of trees: Butea monosperma (Flame of the Forest) and Syzygium cumini (Java Plum). These trees have soft bark, which is easy to scratch and holds the lion’s smell for a long time, even during rain. The gum and bark may help keep the smell strong. Lions did not use teak trees because the bark is hard and dry. It is not good for scratching or keeping the scent.

Where Marking Happened

Lions did not mark scent everywhere. They marked only some important places. Most marking happened on forest paths, near water bodies, and in scrubland with bushes and small trees. These places are used by many animals, so lions can send their scent to more animals with less effort. Many lions visit these spots, so the markings work well. Knowing these places also helps make the Gir lion safari safer and better by planning good and safe safari routes for tourists.

Why This Study Is Useful

This study gives simple and important facts about how lions live in and around Gir National Park. It tells us where they go, how they behave, and how they survive. Forest staff can use this to place cameras or patrol teams in the right places. It also shows how important scent-marking trees are for lions. Cutting these trees is harmful. The study helps stop poaching by showing where lions often go. It also helps plan safe areas and paths for lions outside the park. Since Asiatic lions live in only one place, this study is very helpful to keep them safe.