Also called: Indian lion or Persian lion (Show more) Asiatic lion, (subspecies Panthera leo leo), population of lions whose geographic range once extended from Turkey to India. In the present day, however, wild Asiatic lions are limited to India’s Gir Protected Area, which is within a dry deciduous forest and includes the Gir National Park, and a handful of smaller habitats in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Wildlife experts note that between 500 and 700 wild Asiatic lions remain, with an additional 400 individuals kept in captivity in zoos throughout India and Europe. Although the Asiatic lion traditionally has been classified as the subspecies P. leo persica, research ...(100 of 899 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!