Why did lions go extinct in most of Asia, but there are still many countries with tigers?

Once upon a time, lions used to roam freely across vast regions of Asia. However, nowadays, they can only be found in a small population residing in the Gir Forest of India. In stark contrast, tigers still inhabit multiple Asian countries, although their numbers have significantly dwindled over time. The disappearance of lions from most parts of Asia can be traced back to the relentless hunting of these big cats by local hunters and European nobility. Hunting lions symbolized courage and achievement for generations, with nothing more prestigious than displaying a lion’s head as a trophy. European hunters took a keen interest in targeting them using firearms, which only expedited their decline.

In India, a similar narrative unfolded. Both local royalty and British colonizers viewed lion hunting as a thrilling sport, chasing them either on horseback or from the secure vantage point of elephants. This unrelenting hunting pressure led to the decline in numbers of lion population from over 90% of their historical habitats. If not for the proactive conservation efforts initiated by the rulers at the time, Asiatic lions might have completely vanished from the wild altogether.

Conversely, tigers also confronted grave dangers posed by hunting activities and habitat loss. In the early 20th century, their numbers declined drastically from over 100,000 to merely 4,000 within fifty years. Certain tiger sub-species such as the Caspian tiger in the Middle East and the South-China tiger were tragically hunted into extinction; with only a few of them existing in captivity today. Nevertheless, the other sub-species can still be found inhabiting more than twelve countries in Asia albeit a constant threat to their habitat.

To sum it up: the contrasting destinies between lions and tigers in Asia primarily stem from several factors including the limited range for lions coupled with intense hunting pressure particularly exerted by European hunters. Tigers, on the other hand, enjoyed wider distribution which enabled them to survive despite being heavily hunted. Additionally, countless conservation endeavors have been dedicated to preserving tiger populations ensuring their survival though still at risk.