An amazing photograph of an Asiatic lion, poised regally on the shores of the Arabian Sea, has gone viral on social media.

Sharing this mesmerizing image, Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan remarked, “When #Narnia looks real. A lion king captured enjoying tides of the Arabian Sea on Gujarat coast. Courtesy: CCF, Junagadh.”

Further stoking public curiosity, Kaswan included a link to a detailed study conducted by dedicated researchers of Gujarat’s forest department, examining the interesting movement of Asiatic lions to the coastline.

The study is titled: “Living on the sea-coast: ranging and habitat distribution of Asiatic lions”.

Drawing from this comprehensive research, it emerges that the expanding numbers of Asiatic lions, which predominantly reside in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, have grown by a remarkable four-fold since 1968.

This dramatic surge in population forces many of these amazing creatures to seek territories far beyond the familiar boundaries of the national park.

Speaking on this phenomenon, wildlife biologist Meena Venkataraman, associated with the aforementioned study, informed The Guardian, “unlike Namibia’s coastal lions, the lions in Gujarat do not hunt marine animals but, it is plausible that with time, they may develop a taste for scavenging dead fish.”

Conservation experts have pointed out a rising concern: Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary might be reaching its saturation point in terms of supporting the Asiatic lion population.

These increased numbers lead these lions to wander, sometimes into human settlements.

Additionally, there’s the sobering cautionary note from these experts about the vulnerability of one species residing in a concentrated area, especially when it comes to the threat of diseases like canine distemper.

Highlighting the possibility of these lions moving into human habitats a striking incident from November 2022 was shared by Indian Forest Service officer Susanta Nanda.

The video, from Gujarat, showcased two lions nonchalantly roaming and resting in what looked like freshly tilled farmland. The video also contained a scene where a local villager cautiously observed these lions from a strikingly close distance.

#Gir, famous across the world as the last home of the Asiatic #lion, is also known for its rich flora and fauna. #WildIndia #IncredibleIndia
VC: IFS Susanta Nanda pic.twitter.com/aEoQ33rjXX

— The Better India (@thebetterindia) May 30, 2022