Asiatic lions living along Gujarat’s coast depend mainly on wild prey rather than livestock, challenging the long-held belief that lions outside the Gir Protected Area survive largely on domestic animals, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Conservation.

The study found that wild prey accounted for 64% of the lions’ diet and nearly 70% of the biomass consumed, while livestock contributed 31% of the diet and 30% of the biomass.

Researchers analysed 160 lion scat samples collected during March and April 2024 from the coastal districts of Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar and Porbandar.

“Our study found that wild prey accounted for 64% of the lions’ diet, while domestic animals contributed 31%. In terms of biomass consumed, wild prey contributed 70%, compared to 30% from livestock,” said Mohan Ram, Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Circle, and one of the study’s authors.

Among the prey species, blue bull (nilgai) was the largest contributor, accounting for 51% of the biomass consumed by lions. Wild pigs were the second most important wild prey, while cattle formed the largest domestic prey component.

The study, titled ‘Dietary Pattern of Asiatic Lions in the Coastal Ecosystem of Saurashtra, Gujarat, India’, was authored by Mr. Ram, Aradhana Sahu, Nityanand Srivastava, Kritagnya Vadar, Rohit Chaudhary and Lahar Jhala.

The researchers said the findings contradicted their original hypothesis that lions living in human-dominated coastal landscapes would depend more heavily on livestock because of limited wild prey availability.

Instead, the study concluded that healthy populations of nilgai and wild pigs along Gujarat’s coastline enable lions to sustain themselves largely on natural prey, reducing pressure on livestock.

The study also noted that Gujarat’s coastal ecosystem supports three satellite lion populations along the southwestern, southeastern, and Bhavnagar coasts. According to estimates cited in the paper, these habitats support more than 100 Asiatic lions.

“This study highlighted that Gujarat’s conservation model, where lions have expanded into multi-use landscapes while continuing to rely primarily on natural prey, offers lessons for large carnivore conservation programmes,” the study said.

The researchers added that although cattle and buffalo form part of the lions’ diet, much of the cattle consumed are believed to be feral animals abandoned after they become non-productive.

The study said conserving wild prey populations would be important for the long-term survival of Asiatic lions outside protected forests.

According to the 2025 lion population estimation, Gujarat is home to 891 Asiatic lions.

State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said the findings showed that lions outside the Gir forests were benefiting farmers. “The research study indicates that the lion population outside the Gir forests is benefiting farmers by preying on blue bulls (nilgai) and wild pigs, both of which cause damage to crops. By naturally controlling their populations, lions are helping reduce crop losses,” he said.