Bodies of at least 11 Asiatic lions were found at their last remaining habitat – Gujarat’s Gir National Park, which has led the government to order an immediate probe into the sudden mass death of lions in past 10 days.
All the dead lions were found in Gir (east) division, mainly from Dalkhaniya range in the last few days, an official said. The 11 bodies include three adult females, two adult males and six cubs
Veterinary Forest Officer Hitesh Vamja, informed that “Atleast nine of them have died due to a lung infection. Cause of infection isn’t known as yet. Two others died due to infighting. We’re giving preventive medicines to other lions so that they don’t get affected.”
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Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment, Rajiv Kumar Gupta said the government has ordered a probe and it will be conducted by the principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife).
As per the 2015 census, Gir is home to 520 lions. 32 lions had been killed due to accidental deaths in the last two years.
