Wishu
The young male lion came over from Planckendael, Belgium in 2023.
Asiatic Lion
Lions are well known as large, dangerous predators of the African savannah. But did you know that there are lions in Asia too? Once there were many, but today there are fewer than 1,000! To help this feline claw back from near extinction, Rotterdam Zoo coordinates the European population management program for the Asiatic lion. This way, we ensure a reserve population of these impressive predators in zoos, which we keep as healthy as possible with the help of scientific research.
16 - 18 years
90 - 125 centimetres
1.4 - 2.5 metres
♀ 120 -190 kilograms
♂ 150 - 225 kilograms
Lions are large felids, recognizable by their muscular build, golden-brown coat, and long tail with a dark tuft at the end. Males also have a thick mane around their neck. The difference between Asiatic and African lions is also visible in the mane: it is slightly less imposing than that of their African relatives. Additionally, Asiatic lions are generally a bit smaller and have a skin fold running along the length of their belly.
...an Asiatic lion's manes grow darker in colouration as they grow older?
In the past, the Asiatic lion was found from Persia to East India. Today, they can only be found in Gir Forest National Park in western India. Unlike their African relatives, who hunt on open plains, Asiatic lions live in forested environments.
Asiatic lions typically hunt alone. In the forested environment where they live, they are well-adapted to hiding in ambush. When an unsuspecting boar, deer, or antelope comes too close, the lion leaps out to seize its prey. By preying on these animals, the lion ensures that there aren't too many herbivores in the area. This way, the forest is not overgrazed. Therefore, large predators like lions are essential to their environment.
Around 1900, the number of wild Asiatic lions reached a low point, with fewer than 20 animals remaining at that time. Since then, hunting of lions has been banned, and the lions' habitat has been increasingly protected. As a result, the number of lions in India is on the rise again. By 2017, there were already 650! Although the situation for the Asiatic lion is improving, most of the animals are descended from the same parents. This means that there's a significant risk of inbreeding among Asiatic lions.
Because Asiatic lions in zoos all descend from the same small group, they often suffer from a neurological condition called ataxia. This disorder causes them to lose their balance and have increasing difficulty moving. Therefore, in collaboration with Utrecht University, Rotterdam Zoo is conducting research into ataxia. In doing so, they hope to detect this debilitating neurological deviation at an early stage. This early detection would enable better selection of animals for breeding, ensuring the birth of healthy offspring.
The Asiatic lion enclosure at Rotterdam Zoo has a tall fence, because lions can jump over three meters high. The lions can choose for themselves whether they want to go inside or outside. They are fed twice a week. While this may seem infrequent, it's important to note that in the wild, they do not eat every day either. To further enrich the lions, they are fed a carcass once a month to stimulate their natural behaviour.