# India’s Asiatic lion count hits 891 as Nehru Zoo marks World Lion Day

2026-08-09T14:44:06+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad celebrated World Lion Day with keeper talks on lion behaviour, feeding, and breeding. The zoo houses both Asiatic and African lions and operates a 45-acre safari first opened in 1974. Separately, Union minister Bhupender Yadav noted that India’s Asiatic lion population in the Gir landscape has risen to 891 as of May 2025, a 32 per cent jump from 674 in 2020. The range has expanded from 30,000 sq km to nearly 35,000 sq km across 11 districts. Yadav attributed the recovery to strict legal protection, habitat restoration, prey revival, and community support, citing the return of lions to Barda sanctuary after nearly 150 years.

## Coverage

- telanganatoday.com <https://telanganatoday.com/nehru-zoo-celebrates-world-lion-day-highlights-lion-conservation>
- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/how-india-brought-the-lion-back-from-the-brink-in-union-minister-for-environment-bhupender-yadav-writes-world-lion-day-101786284125987.html>

Tags: Asiatic lion, Hyderabad, lion conservation, Nehru Zoo, safari, World Lion Day
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