Panthera leo persica

This is the rare Asiatic Lion(ess), P.l. persica. There are about 320-odd remaining in the Gir forest of Gujarat in Western India, and bureaucratic bumbling has prevented the establishment of alternative populations. So a single epidemic could wipe out these fine animals. Though often spoken of as the lion of the Bible, that was probably the extinct Barbary lion.

Differences between the African lion seen here are the prominent belly fringe and the larger tuft at the end of the tail. Males have a smaller mane.

The Asiatic lion is rather docile, but I confess this was the second time whilst photographing wildlife that I have been frightened. Two lionesses emerged in front of our vehicle and began to cross the road. They turned towards us and started to come really close. I was shooting like a man possessed and then suddenly realised that this lioness was interested in me. Had I been a bus-load of raucous schoolchildren, I'm sure she would have walked away. I did not have the lens hood on the 70-200 and perhaps she could see some sort of glint on the lens and was intrigued. I retain the EOS 5 because it is quiet, but she must have been intrigued by the motor drive as well. As she got closer, I put down the camera and looked away, but my guide and driver assured me that I had nothing to fear and I continued shooting.

This was taken at hardly 15 feet away, with EBX 100 pushed to 200 and the lens open at 2.8. She then settled on this rise, practically on top of me, and I was able to shoot to my heart's content. The light, however, was awful.

Comments and critques welcome. Thanks for looking.

Apana