In the backdrop of the death of 11 Asiatic lions in its last abode – Gir Forest - the State forest department suddenly decided to form 64 teams to screen sick and weak big cats and immediately shift them to rescue centre.
According to the claims of Gujarat forest officials, the lions died because of infighting and territorial war. Later on the officials added that besides infighting, the big cats died of infections also. Looking to the seriousness of the incidents, a Central Government team of wildlife experts has also flown in to Gujarat to find out the reasons for the death of the endangered cat family species.
During the span of 11 to 19 September, 11 carcasses of lions were found which rocked the entire Government machinery in the State. Gujarat’s Additional Chief Secretary of forest Rajiv Gupta said that viscera samples of the dead animals have been sent to Pune-based National Institute of Virology to find out the exact reason of death.
Once report of the institute would come, it would be easier to take further course of action in order to save lions, said Gupta adding that more than 270 personnel have been deployed in 64 teams for the screening purpose. The state forest department carries out a lion census every five years. The 2005 survey counted 359 lions while the number grew to 411 in 2010. The latest census in 2015 found 523 lions, 109 of which were male, 201 female, 140 cubs and 73 sub-adults.
