In the Realm of the Asian Lions

Overview

In the far west of India live big cats that one would least expect to find in Asia: lions. Asiatic lions were nearly extinct 100 years ago, but today their population is growing again in Gir National Park in the state of Gujarat. They live freely and without fences in an area also inhabited by humans: the Maldhari people live in small settlements of mud huts and raise buffalo, which they let graze on the Gir plains during the day. Lions repeatedly attack the Maldhari's most valuable possessions, but the indigenous people remain calm.