The Gir Forest is home to which unique animal species?

Asiatic Lion
Bengal Tiger
One-Horned Rhinoceros
Snow Leopard

The correct answer is: a) Asiatic Lion.

The Asiatic Lion is a critically endangered species of lion that is native to India. It is the only surviving subspecies of the Panthera leo persica, which once ranged throughout Asia. The Asiatic Lion is found in the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, India. The Gir Forest is the only place in the world where Asiatic Lions are found in the wild.

The Asiatic Lion is a large cat with a tawny coat and a black mane. It is sexually dimorphic, with males being larger than females. The Asiatic Lion is a carnivore and its diet consists of deer, wild boar, and cattle. It is a social animal and lives in prides of up to 30 individuals.

The Asiatic Lion is a threatened species due to habitat loss and poaching. The Gir Forest is under threat from deforestation and development. Poaching is also a major threat to the Asiatic Lion. In recent years, there have been several cases of Asiatic Lions being poached for their body parts, which are used in traditional medicine.

The Asiatic Lion is a flagship species for conservation in India. The government of India has taken several measures to protect the Asiatic Lion, including the establishment of the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. The Asiatic Lion is also listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits international trade in the species.

The Asiatic Lion is a beautiful and majestic animal that is an important part of the Indian ecosystem. It is essential that we take steps to protect this endangered species.

The other options are incorrect because:

  • The Bengal Tiger is a species of tiger that is native to India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar. It is the most populous tiger subspecies and is not found in the Gir Forest.
  • The One-Horned Rhinoceros is a species of rhinoceros that is native to India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is the only rhinoceros species that has a single horn. It is not found in the Gir Forest.
  • The Snow Leopard is a species of leopard that is native to the mountains of Central Asia. It is the only leopard species that lives in snow. It is not found in the Gir Forest.