The Gir PA currently supports a very high predator density owing to management interventions in the past three decades. There has been a substantial change in the vegetation and wild ungulate population over the years. Differences in cover, topography, drainage and availability of palatable plant species are responsible for a difference in the resident ungulate assemblage within the management units of the Gir PA. Seasonal and spatial variation in lion dispersion and group structure has been recorded during the study. The establishment of lions in two management zones of the Gir Protected Area, namely west (Sanctuary) and central (National Park) has been examined in the context of differences in habitat owing to management interventions and rainfall regimes.

Seasonal data across three years includes 553 lion sightings of which about 70 are of known individuals. There is a seasonal variation in lion distribution. Lion encounter rates vary both between seasons as well as between the two chosen management units. Lion encounter rates are highest during winter season (0.047) and greater for West Gir (0.03) as compared to Central Gir (0.025). Lion density was found to be higher in sanctuary-west than central Gir. Population attributes of group size, group composition neither vary seasonally nor betwee n management zones. 

Male- female association occurs only during mating. Mating occurred all through the year, although a greater percentage occurred in winter. Birth peaks occur during end winter and beginning of monsoon. The average litter size is 2.3 (1-3, n = 23 in 10 litters). About 38% of the recorded cub mortality (n = 15) in the first year was due to infanticide by adult males. Cub survival increased after cubs reach two years of age. 

Spatial data on vegetation and drainage have been attributed to habitat suitability for resident ungulates. Data on lion kill and diet indicated that livestock population of over 3000, in 20 nesses and forest settlements within the Gir PA, form an important component of lion diet in addition to the wild ungulate prey. 60% of livestock mortality is due to predation. Habitat suitability determined by prey, including wild ungulates as well as livestock, has been correlated with the observed lion distribution during the study period.