Occurrence of Fossil Lion and Spotted Hyena from Pleistocene Deposits of Susunia, Bankura District West Bengal

Abstract

The note records the occurrence of fossil lion, Panthera cf. leo, and spotted hyena, Crocuta cf. sivalensis, in the Pleistocene alluvial deposits near Susunia in Bankura district West Bengal. This is the first definite record of fossil lion from India, and that of C. cf. sivalensis from any Pleistocene deposit in Peninsular India. The fossils are described and their distribution is briefly discussed,