Panthera leo or the lion is a mammal of the family felidae. The male lion who is easily recognized by his mane weigh up to 250 kg. Females are much smaller, weighing up to only 180 kg. Lions are carnivores with the hunting for the group or pride being done by groups of females. Despite being popularly known as the "king of the Jungle" the lion is really an animal of the open plain that can be found throughout Africa. It is nevertheless a threatened species with significant quantities being limited to national parks in Tanzania and South Africa.
The last remnant of the asiatic lion of the subspecies Panthera leo persica, which in historical times ranged from Greece to India through Persia lives in the Gir Forest of northwestern India. About 300 lions live in a 500 square mile sanctuary in the state of Gujarat.