English: The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) also known as the Indian lion, Persian lion and Eurasian lion,[2][3][4] is a subspecies of lion. The only place in the wild where this species is found is in the Gir Forest of Gujarat, India.[5][6] In 2010, the Gujarat government reported 411 Asiatic lions were sighted in the Gir forest; a rise of 52 over the last census of 2005.[7] The Asiatic lion is one of the five major big cats found in India, the others being the Bengal tiger, the Indian leopard, the snow leopard and clouded leopard.[8] The Asiatic lions once ranged from the Mediterranean to the northeastern parts of the Indian Subcontinent, but excessive hunting, water pollution and decline in natural prey reduced their habitat.[9] Historically, Asiatic lions were classified into three kinds – Bengal, Arabian and Persian lions.[10] Asiatic lions are smaller and lighter than their African counterparts, but are equally aggressive.