How a National Geographic photographer tracked India’s last lions

In our June 2026 issue, National Geographic reported on the lions found in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, India. This population of Asiatic lions was once near extinction, but as a result of the Indian government's financial commitment, community programs, and conservation work, 891 lions were counted in the latest 2025 census. National Geographic Explorer and photographer Steve Winter traveled to the park to photograph the lions featured in this story. Here, we take you behind the scenes to look at how our photographer got the shot.

How a National Geographic photographer tracked India’s last lions. In our June 2026 issue, National Geographic reported on the lions found in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, India. This population of Asiatic lions was once near extinction, but as a result of the Indian government's financial commitment, community programs, and conservation work, 891 lions were counted in the latest 2025 census. National Geographic Explorer and photographer Steve Winter traveled to the park to photograph the lions featured in this story. Here, we take you behind the scenes to look at how our photographer got the shot. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. How did you first learn about this story, and what drove you to photograph the lions in Gir? I’ve been photographing big cats for over two decades, and I’ve worked in India on leop...