Barda Wildlife Sanctuary Records Return of Asiatic Lions After 144 Years
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat has emerged as an important secondary habitat for the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). As of October 2026, the sanctuary supports 17 Asiatic lions, marking the species’ return after an absence of approximately 144 years. Spread across 192.31 square kilometres in Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts, Barda is gaining importance in efforts to expand the geographic distribution of Gujarat’s lion population and strengthen long-term conservation.
Asiatic Lions Return to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary
The Asiatic lion is a subspecies of lion whose surviving wild population is found in Gujarat, India. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and the wider Gir landscape constitute its principal natural habitat.
The recolonisation of Barda began naturally in January 2023, when a male lion dispersed from the Gir landscape into the sanctuary. The Gujarat Forest Department subsequently introduced five female lions to support the establishment of a population. By October 2026, the population had grown to 17 animals.
The return of lions to Barda is significant because maintaining populations across multiple habitats can help reduce the risks associated with concentrating the species in a single landscape.
Scientific Study of Lions in Barda
A study titled “Beyond Gir: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a Potential Stronghold for Asiatic Lions” was published in the journal PLOS ONE on 9 September 2026. It examined the sanctuary’s suitability as a long-term habitat for Asiatic lions.
Researchers fitted radio collars to six lions—one male and five females—and recorded more than 169,000 GPS locations between January 2023 and July 2025. The tracking data helped researchers understand habitat use, home-range establishment and social associations among the lions.
Such monitoring can support evidence-based decisions on habitat management, wildlife movement and future conservation interventions.
Prey Base and Project Lion
A sufficient prey population is essential for sustaining large carnivores. To strengthen Barda’s prey base, 441 chitals (spotted deer) were translocated from Gir Wildlife Sanctuary during 2025–26. Hundreds of spotted deer and sambar had also been released through captive-breeding efforts since 2007.
Barda is designated as Satellite Population 8 under Project Lion, India’s conservation programme for Asiatic lions. The programme aims to support population growth, habitat management, scientific monitoring and long-term protection of the species.
Developing Barda as an additional stronghold can improve the resilience of the Asiatic lion population by expanding its range beyond the Gir landscape.
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary: Important Facts for Exams
- Sanctuary: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Location: Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts, Gujarat.
- Area: 192.31 sq km.
- Scientific name of Asiatic lion: Panthera leo persica.
- Principal natural habitat: Gir landscape, Gujarat.
- Natural recolonisation of Barda: Began in January 2023.
- Lion population in Barda: 17 as of October 2026.
- Research journal: PLOS ONE.
- GPS tracking: More than 169,000 locations for six radio-collared lions between January 2023 and July 2025.
- Project Lion designation: Satellite Population 8.
- Prey-base intervention: 441 chitals translocated in 2025–26.
