Leo (constellation) Babylonian astronomy, the constellation was called UR.GU.LA, the "Great Lion"; the bright star Regulus was known as "the star that stands at the Lion's breast." Regulus also had distinctly regal associations, as it was known as the King Star. In Greek mythology, Leo was identified as the Nemean Lion which was killed by Heracles (Hercules to the Romans) during the first of his twelve labours. The Nemean Lion would take women as hostages to its lair in a cave, luring warriors from nearby towns to save the damsel in distress, to their misfortune. The Lion was impervious to any weaponry;
Panthera leo leo Panthera leo leo Panthera leo leo is the nominate subspecies of the lion, which today is present in West Africa, northern Central Africa and India. It is regionally extinct in southern Europe, West Asia and North Africa. In India, the sole lion population lives in and around Gir Forest National Park. In West and Central Africa, it is restricted to fragmented and isolated populations, most of them declining. The West African population is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List; this population is isolated and comprises fewer than 250 mature individuals. In 2005, a Lion Conservation Strategy was