Lioness killed in Gir forest

20-12-2009
Lioness killed in Gir forest
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Lioness-killed-in-Gir-forest/556680

The state Forest Department found the carcass of a lioness from the Tulsishyam range in Gir forest in the district, officials said on Saturday. The big cat was killed by a sharp weapon.

The carcass of a seven-year-old lioness was found on Thursday night from the protected forest area. It was then brought to the Forest Department's Jasadar medical clinic for animals for a postmortem, they said.

As per the postmortem report, the lioness had received several wounds on the left side of her chest by a sharp weapon, the officials added.

The Forest Department has launched an investigation into the suspected poaching incident and Regional Forest Officer B P Ranparia is heading the inquiry.

Department officials said that this is a case of poaching and they will leave no stone unturned to get to the culprits.

Two years ago, nine lions had been killed in separate incidents by a gang of poachers from Madhya Pradesh. The Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is the last abode of the Asiatic lion. A 2005 census had found 259 lions in the sanctuary. The next such census is likely to be conducted in 2010.