Gir Lion The Last Refuge

Hindi/24mins/2001
Producer: Naresh Bedi, Bedi Films
 
Subject Focus: Conservation of the Gir Lion

Summary: Once Asian lions ranged from Arabia to India. Today, three hundred of these lions are struggling for survival in the Gir forests of Gujarat in India, their last refuge. Our team tracks the lions on foot, viewers are treated to the rare sequence of a leopard chewing up its peacock kill on a high tree branch. Tension heightens as the team’s vehicle is stranded deep in the forest towards nightfall, close to a lioness feeding on a buffalo. Extraordinary shots cover a pack of lions bringing down a camel that will feed them for a week, and two young lions fighting over a spotted deer stag. A dozen cuddly cubs rollicking among the indulgent lionesses, provides a tender finale to the episode.

Producer’s/Director’s Profile: Naresh Bedi has worked as a freelance cameraperson for numerous documentaries and features for leading broadcasters and production houses the world over. Besides his specialized field of Indian natural history he has worked on a wide spectrum of subjects – culture and religion, agriculture and astrology, architecture and anthropology. Has received 11 awards and citations for his films. His awards include Best Wildlife Cameraman at International Wildlife Film and Television Festival Wildscreen 1984 for The Ganges Gharial and a nomination for British Academy awards for Saving The Tiger/ Man Eating Tigers in 1987.