21 Asiatic Lions Dead In One Month In Gir Forest

At least 10 more lions have died in Gujarat's Gir forest, taking the overall death toll to 21 since September 11, the forest department officials confirmed on October 2, 2018. An official from the Gir forest department revealed that 11 lion deaths were reported between September 11 and September 19, while 10 more big cats died in the next 10 days which means one death daily.

Unidentified infection in liver and kidney and internal fights between the lions are stated to be the main cause of death of the lions. Junagadh chief conservator (wildlife) Dushyant Vasavda said;

"The death cases are being looked into at the National Institute of Virology and Veterinary College, Junagadh. Scientists from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh, have been called to look into the matter. Moreover, the Gujarat government is making arrangements for required medicines and vaccinations from America."

READ: 11 Lions Found Dead In Gir Forest, Gujarat Govt Orders Inquiry

He further said;

"The deaths have been reported from Sarasiya area in Dalkhaniya range. Over 2000 forest department staff divided into 140 teams have checked 3,000 square kilometers of Gir area and found more than 700 healthy lions."

Meanwhile, 31 lions have been kept under observation in Akandkar Jamwal Animal Care. Gir forest is the only natural habitat for the Asiatic lions. In 2015, a total of 523 lions were found in the forest. Earlier on September 21, Hitesh Vamja, veterinary forest officer of Gir Forest West said;

"Most of the lions have died due to the lung infection. It was found that in some of them, the infection had also spread to other organs leading to death."

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Vamja assured that the forest administration is making efforts to save the remaining tigers by providing them with proper medical care.

"There is no need to worry as the forest department officials have taken necessary measures to prevent the spread of this air-borne disease to the remaining lions. We have vaccinated them to boost their immunity against the disease," he said.