OT Staff & Waquar Habib
Gir is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. With around 600 individuals, these majestic big cats are the park’s prime attraction, symbolising conservation success in India.
Elusive and powerful, leopards thrive in Gir’s rugged terrain. They are often spotted near the park’s edges and buffer zones, especially during dawn and dusk safaris.
The striped hyena is one of Gir’s key carnivores. Mostly nocturnal, it plays a vital role as a scavenger, maintaining ecological balance by cleaning carcasses.
Highly adaptable, golden jackals are commonly sighted in Gir. They survive on small mammals, fruits, and carrion, often moving in pairs or small family groups.
This graceful antelope prefers open scrubland within Gir. Known for its swift movements and striking appearance, the chinkara adds to the park’s rich ungulate population.
India’s largest antelope, the nilgai, is widely distributed in Gir. These herbivores, with males showing a bluish-grey coat, are often seen grazing in grasslands and woodlands.
Unique to the Indian subcontinent, the four-horned antelope is a rare sight in Gir. Its distinguishing feature is two pairs of horns, making it an unusual ungulate species.
The Kamleshwar Dam in Gir houses a thriving population of mugger crocodiles. These reptiles bask along riverbanks and play an essential role in the aquatic ecosystem.
This nocturnal, insectivorous mammal is elusive but found in Gir. Covered with keratin scales, it feeds mainly on ants and termites, making sightings rare and special.
The largest deer species in Gir, sambars are an important prey base for lions and leopards. They inhabit dense woodlands and are often spotted during jeep safaris.