Lion census in Gir concludes

28-04-2010
Lion census in Gir concludes
Press Trust of India
http://www.ptinews.com/news/628967_Lion-census-in-Gir-concludes

The four-day census of Asiatic Lions in Gir forest concluded today and the result is likely to be declared in a few days, a senior forest official said today.

"The data has been collected in the last four days (April 24-27). Now it would be analysed by experts...The results are likely to be declared by April 29 or 30," Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Pradeep Khanna told reporters here.

Nearly 1,600 officials were deputed for the head count of lions in Gir forests, the only adobe of Asiatic lions.

As many as 359 lions were recorded in the Gir forests in the 2005 census.

During the last five years, over hundred lions have died.

While some of them died due to natural reasons, some were killed in infighting while others succumbed to diseases, officials said.