Latest Update : For the upcoming season 2024/25, safari bookings are open for Gir National Park. Always book your safari in advance.
Asiatic lion, sometimes referred to as the Indian Lion, is the most significant animal species known in Gir National Park Forest. Apart from these majestic big cats, Sasan Gir supports a variety of fauna that are integral parts of the safari experience in Gujarat. In fact, it is the fauna of Gir National Park that attracts travellers not only from India but abroad. One of India's most attractive National parks, Gir, is the favourite destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Apart from the Asiatic lion, the park is home to many animal species like Indian Leopards, hyenas, Indian Cobras, Jungle Cats, and Sloth bears are the prime mammal attractions of the park. You will also be spotting a variety of deer species in the greens including the chitals, Sambar, and Nilgai. Moreover, you could spot other endangered animal's species in Gir National Park forest like the Indian mongoose, Indian Palm civets, hares, ratels, porcupines, desert cats, golden jackal, four-horned antelope, chinkara, marsh crocodile, Russell's viper, wild boar, blackbucks, Indian flap-shell turtle, pangolin, and others. If interested, tourists can spot a mind-boggling variety of insects in the Jungle that play a crucial role in the ecosystem.
The land of Gir in Gujarat state is blessed with numerous species of fauna which include carnivore, herbivore and omnivore animals but one highlight that makes the park unique is the Asiatic lion. After Africa, Gir National Park is the second home where the Asiatic lions can be witnessed. However, it's not only lions and leopards that call the Gir forests their home but the jungle is a hub to a diverse range of mammalian species. The mammals thrive through the jungle of Gir region and glorify the rich biodiversity making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, nature photographers and conservationists.
Some of the popular wild animals of Gir forests include the Indian Leopard, Indian wolf, Striped hyenas, Jungle Cats and Sloth bears especially found in the dense jungles, grasslands and rocky terrains. The herbivore mammal species found in Gir forests include Chital, Sambar deer, wild boar, Nilgai, Chital, four-horned Chinkara, Indian mongoose, Antelopes, Porcupine, hare and others. Both predators and prey live together and support each other with food and habitat in the forest. Many conservation efforts and wildlife preservation programs have been implemented to increase the number of mammals and protect the endangered animals in the Gir National Park.
The reptile variants of the Gir National Park add charm to its wildlife as it houses around 27 in number. The Sasan Gir National Park of Gujarat serves as a perfect habitat for the reptiles because of the weather conditions it provides. Witnessing the reptiles in their natural habitat creates many unforgettable memories among travelers. The term reptile refers to lizards, snakes, turtles, alligators and crocodiles which are found especially in dense bushes, river banks and water reservoirs.
People visiting the Gir forests and water bodies inside the area could locate many reptiles such as Monitor lizard, Hare Tortoise, Marsh Crocodile, Flap Shell Turtle, Indian Star Tortoise, Indian Wall Lizard, Common Garden Lizard, Fan Throated Lizard, Indian Chameleon, Common Keeled Skink, Snake Skink, Indian Cobras, Pythons, Common Sand Boa, Red Sand Boa, Common Monitor Lizard and many more. The Marsh crocodiles are listed as an endangered reptile species and hence conservation programs and projects have been implemented to increase the number of crocodiles and other reptiles within the park.
The distinctive topography of Gir National Park is not only the home of rare and endangered species of animals but also to a variety of avifauna and rare bird life. The diverse landforms, which are spread over a vast region in the park, encompass dry deciduous forests, grasslands, and perennial streams, providing a heaven to over 300 species of birds to soar the proximity.
The variety is diverse including wide-winged raptors to the colourful songbirds filling the morning atmosphere with pleasure. Prominent are the critically endangered vultures, including the majestic Long-billed Vulture and the Oriental White-backed Vulture. These majestic scavengers are not only a magnificent beauty to see but also play a major role in the park's ecosystem. The park has a variety of eagles that are considered some of the most skilled hunters in the park, including the Greater Spotted Eagle and the Changeable Hawk Eagle.
The other apple of eye for bird lovers in the park are the melodious Asian Paradise Flycatcher, nocturnal birds like the Mottled Wood Owl and the Brown Fish Owl, and other significant birds like pygmy woodpecker, crested serpent eagle, Bonelli's eagle, rock bush-quail, crested treeswift, Indian pitta, and black-headed oriole. These make Gir National Park a paradise for birdwatchers.
These majestic subspecies of lions, also known as Indian lions, can only be seen in the forests of Gir in the present time. These lion species are a little shorter and have a distinctive tuft of hair at their tail. Once they reigned in the vast land from the stretches of Greece to India, but noticed a great depletion in their count due to habitat loss in the early 20th century.
As a result of the significant conservation efforts from India, there are now approximately over 600 Asiatic lions in the prides of Gir National Park.
After the lions, Leopards are the major big cat predators in the park. These solitary animals are an important part of the ecosystem and play a vital role in managing predator-prey dynamics. Indian Leopards are very skilled climbers, excellent hunters, well-camouflaged and have diverse dietary choices. Thus, they inhabit varied terrains of the park, including the forest area, grassland, and rocky hills.
They are most active during dawn and dusk time and are seen hunting mostly on Chitals, Sambar deers, Nilgai, wild boar, and monkeys. The exact population of Indian Leopards in the Gir National park is unknown; however, their count could be between 50-70. They have the most threat from habitat loss, conflicts with humans, and poaching.
Striped hyenas, though lesser in count, are one of the most fascinating species in Gir National Park. Hyenas are no member of the Dog or Cat families but distinctively are classified in only the hyena family. Striped hyenas are smaller than the spotted or brown hyenas. They have an inclined body with long ears and golden yellow, brown or grey skin colour with black stripes on the body and legs.
These scavengers and predators are part of the cleanup crews in Gir National Pak and mostly are sighted feeding on the residuals of the big predator's hunt. They are excellent in camouflage and are most active during the nightime. They have sharp vision, acute hearing, and a keen sense of smell, thus they will make their distance from you, as soon as you enter their territory.
Golden jackals are one of the most adaptable species which have found a sustainable role in the wildlife of Gir National Park. They are another significant scavenger species in this wild which also help control and balance the herbivore population by hunting on smaller prey. Their diet includes feeding upon carrion and hunting on small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and occasionally fruits. These opportunistic hunters are also highly vital for seed dispersal while eating fruits and scat seeds.
They are much more active in the daytime of cooler months but mostly nocturnal during the hotter season.
There is a significant population of these venomous snakes in the Gir National Park. Indian Cobras are a majestically beautiful species of snakes that have been a major part of the protection program of Gir National Park. These snakes are easily recognisable by their hood, which they expand while expecting threats or by a special mark behind their hood. They can have a length of up to 2 metres and prey on a variety of animals like rodents, frogs, lizards, birds and other snakes. One most probably can see the Indian Cobras in dense forests and areas around water sources in Gir National Park. So, maintain a safe distance and witness these majestic creatures lead their way.
Nilgai or the bluebuck is the largest antelope species in Asia and has a healthy population in the Gir National Park. The park offers special protection to these species thus one can see their hurds usually during a wildlife safari tour. Nilgai is a short-horned herbivore species that relies mainly on grasses, leaves, and fruits. These are an important part of Gir National Park's ecosystem.
Monitor Lizards have a stable population in Gir National Park with mainly two types, Bengal monitor and Desert monitor. While Bengal monitor is most common, desert monitor is rare species of this park. These predators cum scavengers are tough creatures inhabiting range of habitats. Monitor lizards live in forest area, scrublands, and near water bodies. They usually are sighted baskin in the sun or searching for food near dense vegetation area around water.
These apex predators of Gir National Park are one of the biggest attractions in the park. Also known as "Mugger" locally, they are medium-sized crocodiles with broad snouts. As a result of the conservation project of 1977, Gir National Park has the largest population of Marsh crocodiles in India. They are present in a considerable population around the Kamleshwar Dam inside the park and are sighted usually either basking in the sun or cooling off in water. They are also a vital key for wildlife as they keep the population of many other animals in check.
Some FAQs About Fauna in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
Get In TouchAccording to the last census of 2020, Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is home to approximately 674 Asiatic lions. It is a significant increase in their population from the count of 200 lions in the late 1960s, thanks to successful conservation efforts.
While lions are the star attraction of the Park, it boasts a diverse range of other fauna like Leopards, a variety of deers, wild boar, hyenas, crocodiles, pythons, and over 300 species of birds.
Yes, few endangered species apart from the Asiatic lion in the Gir National Park are Slender-billed vulture and Indian panolin.
Tigers are not found in Gir Sanctuary as a resident feline species but may cross over to the park in a rare scenario.
