To conserve the Asiatic lion-Gir National Park

Gir forest is Situated about 65km SE of Junagarh district in the state of Gujarat in South West India, the National Park was established on 18th September, 1965, as a Forest Reserve, primarily to conserve the Asiatic lion-classified as one of the World's most threatened species. Now Gir National Park is the only remaining place in the world, where one is likely to see the Asiatic Lion. The sanctuary covers a total area of 1,412 sq. km of which 258 sq.km at the core forms the National park. Permits are required to enter this part of the sanctuary.
Apart from the Asiatic lion, other wild attractions in the sanctuary are Nilgai, Chinkara, Sambhar, Black Bucks, the four horned Antelope, Wild Boar, crocodile, Indian Flying Foe, Grey Musk Shrew, Indian Hare, Pale Hedgehog, Small Indian Mangoose, Small Indian Civet, Indian Pangolin, Indian Porcupine, Ratel, Indian Fox and Jackal. The three smaller wildcats - the Jungle Cat, Desert Cat and the Rusty Spotted Cat, also inhabit Gir forest. The forest is also rich in bird life, and an estimated of 300 species are found inhabiting Gir National Park over the years, the most common is the peafowl.

An intelligent sea creature

Sea Lion, intelligent, slender-bodied seal, well known for its balancing acts as a circus performer and its presence in almost every zoo. A gregarious personality, combined with remarkable speed and agility on land and lively barklike vocalizations, makes this seal easily trainable and appealing to human audiences. In the wild, these shore-living seals are found along many areas of North America’s western coast, from British Columbia southward through the United States to the Tres Marias Islands off of Baja California, Mexico. Some populations are also found in the Galápagos Islands.

Adult males, called bulls, average 360 kg (800 lb) in weight and 2.1 m (7 ft) in length. Females, or cows, are smaller, with an average weight of 110 kg (250 lb) and an average length of 1.8 m (6 ft). Both sexes have chocolate-brown coats and doglike muzzles. Males are distinguished by their larger size, as well as by protuberant foreheads caused by an internal bone ridge that anchors powerful chewing muscles. California sea lions eat squid and octopus as well as a variety of fish—herring, rockfish, mackerel, anchovies, and lampreys. They hunt in shallow waters and often compete directly with a closely related species, Steller’s sea lions, for food.

Largest mammal

Elephant, huge mammal characterized by a long muscular snout and two long, curved tusks. Highly intelligent and strong, elephants are the largest land animals and are among the longest lived, with life spans of 60 years or more. Healthy, full-grown elephants have no natural enemies other than humans.

The armored mammal - " Armadillo "

Armadillo, armored mammal, related to anteaters and sloths. The peba, or nine-banded armadillo, is found in South and Central America and in Texas, southern Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and parts of Florida. The six-banded armadillo; the three-banded armadillo, or apar; and the giant armadillo are among the South American species. They vary in size from the giant armadillo, which is almost 1 m (about 3 ft) long excluding the tail, to species only about 15 cm (about 6 in) long when fully grown.

The layer of horn (hard material derived from hair) and bony plates that protect the animal against predators is formed by the ossification of the greater part of the skin. In some species even the tail is so protected. In most species except the giant armadillo, the shoulders and rump are each covered by a single large shield, and the middle of the body is covered by transverse bands that are movable and articulated, so that the animal can contract andcurl up to cover its unprotected abdomen; the three-banded armadillo can roll itself into a tight ball