Junagadh: This is a good news for wildlife lovers and animal conservationists in India as the much awaited Asiatic Lion census result has been declared. So now there are 523 majestic beasts roaming the exotic Gir sanctuary and the roars grow even louder!

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel announced results of lion census 2015 at a press conference held in Sasan Gir, the headquarters of Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (GNPWS) in Junagadh on Sunday.

“We have registered a robust growth in our lion population … from 411 in 2010 to 523 now, which means a growth of 27%,” Anandiben Patel said, while releasing the figures.

As per the 14th Lion Census 2015 conducted during May 2 to May 5, the number of female lions is double the number of male lions, the chief minister added. The census shows that there are 109 adult lions and 201 adult lionesses along with 213 sub adults and cubs.

There are 268 lions in Junagadh district, 44 in Somnath, 174 in Amreli and 47 in Bhavnagar. The lions have seen the maximum increase in Amreli district and have also reclaimed new areas in adjoining districts, according to the new Census.

About 11 wildlife experts from national and international agencies including WCT, NBWL, and SBWL besides Aligarh Muslim University participated in this Census.

According to the forest officials, the 2015 census was the most scientifically driven as experts used robust technology like GIS, GPS, digital cameras and camera traps in order to record accurate estimation and to avoid overlapping of the wild cats.

Asiatic lions, who are found only in Gir, fall in the "endangered" category of wild animals. The rise in their population is indeed a boost to the persistent conservation efforts of the State Forest Department and wildlife enthusiasts and a moment of great pride for Gujarat!

