A body of dead Asiatic lion found in Dedakdi range of Gir

Source: Divya Bhaskar, Gujarat Daily, Rajkot Edition Dtd. 8-12-2006

 

A dead body of lion was found in Dedakdi range of Gir (West) forest. As per Shri Shukal, DFO, Gir(W), a dead body of 3 year old male lion was found by the patrol guard around 6.30 PM near Hardadwa dhola area  in Dedakadi range in Gir(W). On being informed higher official rushed to the place. Necessary legal formalities were done and postmortem was carried out next day with a conclusion of natural death. It is to be noted that last year a large number of lions had died in Gir. With death of one more lion, wild lifer were shocked.

Asiatic Lion Cub falls into well; Rescued

Source: Times of India, Ahmedabad Edition Dtd. 13-12-2006

 

Forest Department officials rescued a lion cub from a farm well after the owner of the farm Bhimjibhai Kumbhar informed them about the lion cub on Monday. The well had no parapet wall. The incident occurred near Jambuda village, 25km from Gir Sanctuary. Conservator of forest Bharat Pathak said officials successfully rescued the cub after a short while. The lion had fallend into a well at Patala village of Dhari Taluka on December 8, 2006.

Increased Traffic upsets Gir's (Asiatic Lion's) Delicate Balance

Source: Times of India Ahmedabad Edition Dtd. 9-12-2006 By: Rajiv Shah

 

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Government has finally acknowledged that the Gir WLS, the only home to the Asiatic Lion, is facing a major problem of human interference.

 

An internal report based on a recent State Wildlife Board Meeting, has said that the "steady flow of traffic along the Dhari-Una road passing through the sanctuary has risen over the years disturbing wildlife."

 

Pointing out that the Union Territory of Diu on the Saurashtra Coast is a hugely popular tourist spot due, the report says, to reach the destination, the people, “people are inspired to take the Dhari-Una road passing through the Gir Forest and Tulsishyam so that wildlife sightings can also be done.

 

IT adds, “The records maintained by the forest department show that four lakh people and one lakh vehicles pass this road per year in either direction.”

 

The report proposes to develop an interpretation centre for Rs.5 crore at Ambardi, in the midst of the sanctuary, but does not say how to stop people from passing through the Dhari-Una road, on which the Tulsishyam temple is situated. It is also silent on the Kankai temple, situated in the midst of the dense forest in Gir Protected Area, where nearly 600 people lunch on the weekdays.

 

A state transport bus and tens of diesel-run cars and jeeps which are banned, reach Kankai, where there is a dharmashala, goes up manifold on week ends and Sundays.

The Asiatic Lion roar in Gir; Rs 60-cr project to conserve lions

State mulls setting up 3 gene pools, new habitats to help breed more of the endangered Asiatic lion

By: Bashir Pathan Source: http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=212236

 

Ahmedabad, December 6: It’s some roaring good news for animal lovers worried about the endangered Asiatic lion. The State Forest Department has mooted a Rs 60-crore project under which it proposes to set up gene pools to conserve the genetic diversity of Asiatic lions of Gir forest and its surrounding areas. A detailed project proposal was sent to the government on Wednesday.

The department has requested the government to include the proposal in next year’s budget and has plans to implement this proposed Rs 60-crore lion conservation project in the next five years, which also includes creating new areas for the habitation of big cats. At a recent meeting of the State Wildlife Advisory Board held in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Narendra Modi had suggested setting up such gene pools for the conservation of Asiatic lions.

Confirming this, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Pradeep Khanna told Newsline that his department proposed to set up at least three gene pools or banks— one each in Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Rajkot districts — for which separate funds would be earmarked and special technical staff recruited.

Khanna said that under the proposed project, about 30 lions and lionesses would be picked up from the Gir National Park and Sanctuary and kept in semi-captive condition at these three places where efforts would be made to conserve their genes through breeding. Not only this, new habitation areas for Asiatic lions will be created in the eastern region of Gir, including Jessar, Palitana and Mahuva under the conservation project.

“The Asiatic lion found only in Gir is an endangered species. And the concept of setting up such pools or banks will not only help us conserve the genetic diversity of rare big cats, but also maintain their population when their number further shoots up in future,” the Wildlife official said, adding that the population of Gir lions is at present 359.

A member of the National Wildlife Board G A Patel said such gene pools, when set up, would help maintain the population of Gir lions in case their population was threatened by an epidemic like situation in future. In fact, the Hyderabad-based Centre for Chromosome Molecular Biology (CCMB) is already carrying out detailed analysis of genes of endangered species like tigers and lions, and Gujarat could seek the help of CCMB experts in setting up gene pools to preserve the Asiatic lion’s progeny, said Patel who recently retired as the State Chief Wildlife Warden.

 

Find Everything about ASIATIC LION & GIR at www.asiaticlion.org 

or contact info@asiaticlion.org

Lion safari in Jaipur on the anvil

Source: http://www.indiaenews.com/travel/20061203/31000.htm

Sunday, December 03, 2006

 

Rajasthan is to begin work on a much-awaited lion safari at the Nahargarh biological park here.

The Central Zoo Authority has approved the layout of the safari, officials said. The state government has sought Rs.3 million for the project from the central government. The proposed safari is to be developed on 36 acres of land.

The plan includes construction of five dens, specially designed to give natural ambience to the lions. The dens would provide respite to the lions from extreme climatic conditions.

Two watchtowers would be constructed to monitor the activities of the lions. Initially, the safari would start by bringing in 10 lions from the Gir forest and the Jaipur zoo.

Visitors would be taken on safari in closed jeeps, he added. They would be able to see everything except the lions hunting their prey.

Find Everything about ASIATIC LION & GIR at www.asiaticlion.org 

or contact info@asiaticlion.org

Asiatic Lioness dies due to Snake Bite

Courtesy: Amit Jethwa

 

During last week a lioness deadbody found in Jamwala range of Gir National Park. Post mortam was conducted by 3 Vaternary Officers panel and cause of death declared as snake bite. Lioness was young and age around 6 years. A detailed inquiry of this case is demanded by Gir Nature Club.