Fauna in Gir National Park

Fauna in Gir

Gir National Park successfully manages to provide shelter to a wide range of fauna and avifauna species. The national park is home to approximately 2,375 different species of animals. The highlight, without a doubt, is the Asiatic Lions. In addition to these majestic lions and leopards, the Gir forest is also inhabited by around 300 bird species, 37 types of reptiles, 38 mammal species, and about 2,000 kinds of insects.

The latest census conducted in May 2025 shows that the population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has grown remarkably, now numbering around 891 individuals. This is a significant increase compared to the 674 lions documented in the previous census five years earlier. Gir is renowned for having Asiatic lions reserved in it, which makes it a unique habitat. There is only one place after Africa that has more Asiatic lions than Gir. The bird inhabitants contain the greenish warbler, the pigeons with golden feet, the Griffon Eurasian predator, the wavering Hawk Eagle, the Bonelli's Eagle, the Indian Pitta-Quail, and the woodpeckers like the crested, treeswift, and the pygmy woodpecker. The Gir forest fauna has full potential to let the tourists spot wildlife like porcupines and hares next to carnivores like jungle cats, black hyenas, Indian leopards, Indian mongooses, and golden jackals.

Herbivores 

Chital, Four-Horned Antelope, Nilgai, Sambar, Wild Boar, and Chinkara.

Carnivores 

Asiatic Lion, Indian Leopard, Jungle Cat, Striped Hyena, Golden Jackal, Bengal Fox, Indian Grey Mongoose, Honey Badger, Ruddy Mongoose and Striped Hyena.

Bird Species - Approximately 300 species

Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus Crispus, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila Clanga, Indian Skimmer Rynchops Albicollis, Oriental White-Backed Vulture Gyps Bengalensis and Long-Billed Vulture Gyps Indicus.

Reptiles - Approximately 27 species

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, Common Sand Boa, Red Sand Boa, Common Monitor Lizard and more.

Marsh Crocodiles

Marsh Crocodiles are in the largest number available in Gir than anywhere else in India. The tiny area of the Gir jungle is reserved for the care of the crocodiles.