Sprawled across a total area of 1412 square kilometres of scrub and deciduous woodlands, Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is best known for its Asiatic lions – which make up the sole remaining wild population on earth and have elevated the park’s status to one of India’s most important protected areas. The lion breeding programme which extends through the park and surrounding areas has produced about 180 lions in captivity since it was started, and the 2010 census recorded 411 lions in Gir, an increase of 52 from five years previously. Besides these majestic cats, other animals found in the reserve include spotted hyenas, Indian leopards, civets, crocodiles, antelope, pythons and cobras, as well as roughly 300 bird species and over 400 plant species.