Asiatic Lion at Diergaarde Blijdorp, Rotterdam (Holland)

The Asiatic Lion (also known as the Indian Lion or Persian Lion) is a lion subspecies that exists as a single population in India's Gujarat state. It is listed as Endangered by IUCN due its small population size. The Asiatic Lion is one of five big cat species found in India, apart from Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Snow Leopard and Clouded Leopard. It formerly occurred in Persia, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Baluchistan, from Sindh in the west to Bengal in the east, and from Rampur and Rohilkund in the north to Nerbudda in the south. It differs from the African Lion by less inflated auditory bullae, a larger tail tuft and a less developed mane. Lions are carnivores. Asiatic Lions feed on wild pigs, cattle, antelope and deer in the wild.

Diergaarde Blijdorp, officially Rotterdam Zoo, is a zoo located in the northwestern part of Rotterdam. It is one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands, and has been operated by the Stichting Koninklijke Rotterdamse Diergaarde ("Royal Rotterdam Zoo Foundation"). Divided into several zoogeographic regions, the 26-hectare (64.25-acre) Blijdorp Zoo is home to more than 180 species. It also has a shop, multiple cafes, and an information centre. The zoo is a member of the Dutch Zoo Federation (NVD) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). In 2007, it celebrated its 150th anniversary.