Asiatic lion known as "Indian lion" and "Persian lion". Following Meyer's first description of an Asiatic lion skin from Persia, other naturalists and zoologists also described lion specimens from other parts of Asia that used to be considered synonyms of "P. l. persica": In 2017, the Asiatic lion was subsumed to "P. l. leo" due to close morphological and molecular genetic similarities with Barbary lion specimens. Fossil remains of "Panthera spelaea" excavated in the Cromer Stage indicate that it represented a genetically isolated and highly distinct lineage. Fossil lion remains were found in Pleistocene deposits in West Bengal. A fossil carnassial excavated
Masai giraffe Masai giraffe The Masai giraffe ("Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchii"), also spelled Maasai giraffe, also called Kilimanjaro giraffe, is the largest subspecies of giraffe. It is native to East Africa. The Masai giraffe can be found in central and southern Kenya and in Tanzania. It has distinctive, irregular, jagged, star-like blotches which extend to the hooves. A median lump is usually present in males. The IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies. The Masai giraffe was described and given the binomial name "Giraffa tippelskirchi" by German zoologist Paul Matschie in 1898. The Masai giraffe was named in honor