Asiatic lion

Panthera leo persicus

Asiatic lion Jayendra looking to the side in the sun. IMAGE: Amy Middleton (2022)

Status

NE DD LC NT VU EN CR EW EX

For more info on classifications visit www.iucnredlist.org

There is one Asiatic lion here at Edinburgh Zoo – Jayendra (Jay) who was born in 2010 and moved here in 2012 from Bristol Zoo.

Population

decreasing_population_icon

Decreasing

Diet

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Carnivore

Habitat

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Rainforest

Fact file

  • Asiatic lions are only active for about four hours a day, they spend the rest of their time sleeping or at rest

  • In the wild these lions will live for between 16-18 years

  • The top speed of an Asiatic lion is 35mph

Asiatic lion male Jayendra looking at camera

IMAGE: Sian Addison 2018

Keep up with our lions

Lions are generally active at night and prefer to rest during the day so you will most likely find Jay snoozing on the camera!

Watch our lion live
Asiatic lion Kushanu looking at the camera (eye contact) IMAGE: Amy Middleton (2022)

How we're helping

Wild populations of Asiatic lions are in decline due to habitat loss and degradation. Here at RZSS, our lions are part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) which ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population.

Like all the animals in our care, our lions are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued, and loved.

As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.

Find out more about RZSS conservation