Leopard enters house at Dabhadi in Dhari Taluka; Kills calf

28-07-2012

Leopard enters house at Dabhadi in Dhari Taluka; Kills calf
Divya Bhaskar
http://epaper.divyabhaskar.co.in/rajkot/62/28072012/0/1/

Three penalised for illegal entry into Gir forest at Jasadhar Range

28-07-2012

Three penalised for illegal entry into Gir forest  at Jasadhar Range
Divya Bhaskar
http://epaper.divyabhaskar.co.in/rajkot/62/28072012/0/1/

Cubs give birth to a new gene pool

25-07-2012

Cubs give birth to a new gene pool
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Cubs-give-birth-to-a-new-gene-pool/articleshow/15130272.cms

A lioness licks her cub at the Gir Sanctuary in Gujarat.

Five new cubs, born in the last one year, may provide a shield against weakening genes of Gujarat's Gir lions. At a time when experts say that inbreeding has weakened the unique wild cat's genetic structure, the cubs, born at the Rampara Virdi centre, have given birth to a separate gene pool.

Two pairs of lions from completely different areas were captured and brought to Rampara to ensure that the genes differed. "If the lioness was from Sasan, the lion would be from a far off area of Tulsishyam or even Bhavnagar," a forest officer told TOI.

B B Limbasia, deputy conservator of forests, said, "Eight cubs were born to the pairs of which one died and two have infections and are being treated at the Sakkarbaugh zoo in Junagadh."

Among concerns raised by experts, a study by Stephen J O'Brien, chief of the Laboratory of Viral Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute in Maryland, revealed, "A limited sample of Gir lion from Sakarbaugh zoo revealed high levels of spermatozoal abnormalities. These results affirm the hypothesis that genetic diminishment of natural population may have unfavourable physiological effect such as increased spermatozoal abnormalities."

Experts say inbreeding and loss of genetic variation decreases the ability of wild populations to adapt to climatic changes and makes them vulnerable to new diseases, parasites and pollutants.

Officials said the success of Rampara has virtually defeated the purpose of shifting the lions to Kuno-Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. MP had based its petition on the need for a separate gene pool. Rampara is far away from the original home.

Creation of new gene pool also eases the burden on Gir sanctuary. The protected area has around 300-odd lions, but has a capacity for just 280-odd lions.

Times View

Every possible measure should be taken to preserve the Asiatic lion, given that Gujarat is the only home of this unique species in the world. The support of the people has so far ensured that the wild cat prospers in the state, but inbreeding is a major threat which is weakening its genetic structure and making it vulnerable to biological disorders and epidemics. A separate gene pool of the lion would not only ensure healthier animals, but protect it against catastrophic diseases.

Lioness shows cougar tendencies

25-07-2012

Lioness shows cougar tendencies
Hostenews
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gYHxWpgs6KSOs8AQOToAjo-hQNDQ?docId=N0385581343133750418A

Two-year-old Jayendra looks around his new enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo after recently arriving from Bristol Zoo

She may be a lioness, but Kamlesh is showing distinctly cougar-ish tendencies.

Edinburgh Zoo's resident Asiatic lioness has taken up a toy boy 13 years her junior.

Jayendra, two, arrived from Bristol Zoo at the end of June, and keepers say he has "hit it off" with the older animal.

The pair have even been spotted curling up together to sleep.

Jayendra has not yet reached sexual maturity, but it is hoped the pair will boost the species by having cubs later on.

But for now Kamlesh is showing her toy boy that she is the boss.

Alison Maclean, head carnivore keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "It's great news that we have Jay at the zoo and he has already been introduced successfully to Kamlesh, our feisty female Asiatic lion. When you're introducing any animal to another animal for the first time there is always uncertainty, especially when it's two very powerful lions.

"Kamlesh is around 13 years older than Jay and is slightly larger in size than him too, so it was going to be interesting to see how they would react to each other.

"I'm glad to say that they seem to have hit it off, and they could even be spotted curled up sleeping together on the first night after the introductions - which is a great sign. Jay has been submissive to Kamlesh and she is definitely the boss in the relationship, for now anyway. We expect this will change when Jay reaches sexual maturity and takes over as the dominant one in the pair."

Asiatic lions, which are one of the seven subspecies of lions, are critically endangered because of habitat loss and poaching. They can now be found only in the Gir Forest National Park in India, and there are thought to be just 175 left in the wild.

Ancient Life-Size Lion Statues Baffle Scientists

25-07-2012

Ancient Life-Size Lion Statues Baffle Scientists
LiveScience Contributor By Owen Jarus
http://www.livescience.com/21838-ancient-lion-statutes-turkey.html

A life-size granite lion sculpture discovered in the town of Karakiz in Turkey. Dating back more than 3,200 years, to the time of the Hittite Empire, the lion is shown "prowling forward" with rippling muscles and a curved tail. In antiquity there would have been a second lion connected to it, bringing the total weight of the sculpture to about 5 tons (10,000 pounds).

Two sculptures of life-size lions, each weighing about 5 tons in antiquity, have been discovered in what is now Turkey, with archaeologists perplexed over what the granite cats were used for.

One idea is that the statues, created between 1400 and 1200 B.C., were meant to be part of a monument for a sacred water spring, the researchers said.

The lifelike lions were created by the Hittites who controlled a vast empire in the region at a time when the Asiatic lion roamed the foothills of Turkey.

"The lions are prowling forward, their heads slightly lowered; the tops of their heads are barely higher than the napes," write Geoffrey Summers, of the Middle East Technical University, and researcher Erol Özen in an article published in the most recent edition of the American Journal of Archaeology.

The two lion sculptures have stylistic differences and were made by different sculptors. The lion sculpture found in the village of Karakiz is particularly lifelike, with rippling muscles and a tail that curves around the back of the granite boulder.

"The sculptors certainly knew what lions looked like," Summers told LiveScience in an interview. He said that both archaeological and ancient written records indicate that the Asiatic lion, now extinct in Turkey, was still very much around, some even being kept by the Hittites in pits.

Curiously the sculpture at Karakiz has an orange color caused by the oxidization of minerals in the stone. Summers said that he doesn't believe it had this color when it was first carved. [Aerial Photos Reveal Mysterious Stone Structures]

The head of the surviving Karakiz lion. It was never finished, its sculptor intending the piece to be moved and completed on location. Remnants of the second lion can be seen on the left.

Digging up lions

The story of the discovery of the massive lions began in 2001, when Özen, at the time director of the Yozgat Museum, was alerted to the existence of the ancient quarry by a man from Karakiz village and an official from the Ministry of Culture. An extensive search of the area was undertaken in spring 2002 with fieldwork occurring in the following years.

Looters, however, beat the archaeologists to the catch. The Karakiz lion was found dynamited in two, likely in the mistaken belief that it contained hidden treasure. "There's this belief that monuments like this contain treasure," said Summers, explaining that the dynamiting of monuments is a problem in Turkey. "It makes the Turkish newspapers every month or so."

The second lion, found to the northeast of the village, had also been split in two. As a result of this destruction both lion sculptures, which originally were paired with another, now mainly have one lion intact.

A second granite lion was found to the northeast of the town. There are stylistic differences between this sculpture and the one in Karakiz although in antiquity this also was attached to a second lion.

The danger of new looting loomed over the researchers while they went about their work. In the summer of 2008 evidence of "fresh treasure hunting" was found at the ancient quarry along with damage to a drum-shaped rock that, in antiquity, was in the process of being carved.

What were they intended for?

The discovery of the massive lions, along with other pieces in the quarry, such as a large stone basin about 7 feet (2 meters) in diameter, left the archaeologists with a mystery — what were they intended for? [History's Most Overlooked Mysteries]

A search of the surrounding area revealed no evidence of a Hittite settlement dating back to the time of the statues. Also, the sheer size of the sculptures meant that the sculptors likely did not intend to move them very far.

Summers hypothesizes that, rather than being meant for a palace or a great city, the lions were being created for a monument to mark something else – water.

"I think it's highly likely that that monument was going to be associated with one of the very copious springs that are quite close," he said in the interview. "There are good parallels for associations of Hittite sculptural traditions with water sources."

Indeed one well-known monument site, known as Eflatun P?nar, holds a sacred pool that "is fed by a spring beneath the pool itself," write Yi?it Erbil and Alice Mouton in an article that was published in the most recent edition of the Journal of Near Eastern Studies. The two researchers were writing about water religions in ancient Anatolia (Turkey).

"According to the Hittite cuneiform texts, water was seen as an effective purifying element," Erbil and Mouton write, "used in the form of lustrations or even full baths during ritual performances, its cleansing power is self-evident."

To the Hittites the natural world, springs included, was a place of great religious importance, one worthy of monuments with giant lions. "These things (water sources) were sacred, just as their mountains were sacred," Summers said.

Gir lions are nation’s property, concedes Gujarat govt

24-07-2012
Gir lions are nation's property, concedes Gujarat govt
DNA By JUmana Shah
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gir-lions-are-nations-property-concedes-gujarat-govt_1719077

The six-year-long battle in the Supreme Court over shifting of the Asiatic Lions from Gir sanctuary to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Palpur Sanctuary saw an interesting twist on Monday. During the hearing on a plea related to the relocation of Asiatic Lions to Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh from Gir National Park, the Gujarat government agreed that wildlife is not the 'property' of any state but belongs to the country.

Senior counsel for the petitioner in the case, Raj Panjwani says, "This, in effect means that the state has agreed for the translocation of the lions out of Gujarat, if wildlife experts confirm that Kuno is prepared to receive the big cats. The state's counsel said that if the security and prey base measures are fulfilled, we have not objection."

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior forest officer from Gujarat informed DNA, "The lions should be relocated scientifically. We can move them if it is affirmed that Kuno has sufficient prey base, it is secure; there shouldn't be other pathogens, etc. We believe that the materials presented before the courts are not enough to take an informed decision on the subject."

Panjwani adds that the whole issue was 'whether' the lions can be translocated or not.That has been resolved today, as the government's counsel conceded that lions are not the property of the state of Gujarat. "So the question whether Gujarat can say 'no' to relocation is settled. It cannot. So the issue is now about when and how the lions should be moved. That is an administrative issue that can be dealt with by wildlife experts," he said.

New lion a roaring success

24-07-2012
New lion a roaring success
Scotsman
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/new-lion-a-roaring-success-1-2428562

EDINBURGH Zoo's single female Asiatic lion has welcomed hopeful suitor Jayendra to his new home

One-and-a-half-year-old Jayendra, known as Jay to his keepers, has arrived from Bristol Zoo to join lioness Kamlesh.

Alison Maclean, head carnivore keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "It's great news that we have Jay at the zoo and he has already been introduced successfully to Kamlesh, our feisty female Asiatic lion. When you're introducing any animal to another animal for the first time there is always uncertainty.

"Kamlesh is around 13 years older than Jay and is slightly larger, so it was going to be interesting to see how they would react to each other.

"I'm glad to say that they seem to have hit it off, and they could even be spotted curled up sleeping together on the first night after the introductions."

Edinburgh Zoo’s latest arrival in love at first swipe

24-07-2012
Edinburgh Zoo's latest arrival in love at first swipe
Scotsman
http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/pictures/edinburgh-zoo-s-latest-arrival-in-love-at-first-swipe-1-2429527

WHILE the world waits for pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang to enjoy their first romantic encounter, it seems that passions are running high elsewhere at Edinburgh Zoo.

The zoo's resident Asiatic lioness, Kamlesh, has been introduced to new arrival Jayendra, a lion 13 years her junior.

Jayendra, two, arrived from Bristol Zoo at the end of June, and keepers say he has "hit it off" with the older animal.

The pair have even been spotted curling up together to sleep.

Jayendra has not yet reached sexual maturity, but it is hoped the pair will have cubs later on.

But, as the above pictures illustrate, Jayendra has some growing up to do before he can claim to be the dominant partner in this relationship.

Alison Maclean, head carnivore keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "It's great news that we have Jay at the zoo and he has already been introduced successfully to Kamlesh, our feisty female Asiatic lion.

"When you're introducing any animal to another animal for the first time there is always uncertainty, especially when it's two very powerful lions.

"Kamlesh is around 13 years older than Jay and is slightly larger in size than him too, so it was going to be interesting to see how they would react to each other.

"I'm glad to say that they seem to have hit it off, and they could even be spotted curled up sleeping together on the first night after the introductions - which is a great sign.

"Jay has been submissive to Kamlesh and she is definitely the boss in the relationship, for now anyway. We expect this will change when Jay reaches sexual maturity and takes over as the dominant one in the pair.

"We are hopeful that they will become a breeding pair and produce cubs in the not-too-distant future which would be fantastic for us at the zoo and the ongoing conservation and breeding programme for these incredibly endangered animals.

"It has been a pretty smooth and speedy introduction mainly because there wasn't a tussle over who's in charge. Jay is very active and can often be spotted climbing the tree branches in his enclosure, whereas she's a little more relaxed and not as boisterous as him."

Asiatic lions, which are one of the seven subspecies of lions, are critically endangered because of habitat loss and poaching.

They can now be found only in the Gir Forest National Park in India, and there are thought to be just 175 left in the wild.

Smaller than their African relatives, Asiatic lions usually weigh about 190kg (29 stone) whereas African lions weigh in at around a hefty 230kg (36 stone).

Asiatic male lions also have a shorter and lighter-coloured mane meaning that their ears are always visible, unlike that of the African lion.

Lonely lioness introduced to potential new love interest at Edinburgh Zoo

24-07-2012
Lonely lioness introduced to potential new love interest at Edinburgh Zoo
local.stv.tv
http://local.stv.tv/edinburgh/112227-lonely-lioness-introduced-to-potential-new-love-interest-at-the-zoo/

A lonely lioness has been introduced to a potential new love interest.

Kamlesh, who turns 15 later this year, is the resident single Asiatic lion at Edinburgh Zoo.

Last month, keepers introduced her to Jayendra, a one-year-old lion known as Jay who has been moved from Bristol Zoo.

It is hoped the couple will breed once Jay hits maturity and the pair are already getting along.

Keeper Alison Maclean said: "It's great news that we have Jay at the Zoo and he has already been introduced successfully to Kamlesh our feisty female Asiatic lion. When you're introducing any animal to another animal for the first time there is always uncertainty, especially when it's two very powerful lions.

"Kamlesh is around 13 years older than Jay and is slightly larger in size than him too, so it was going to be interesting to see how they would react to each other. I'm glad to say that they seem to have hit it off, and they could even be spotted curled up sleeping together on the first night after the introductions - which is a great sign.

"Jay has been submissive to Kamlesh and she is definitely the boss in the relationship for now anyway. We expect this will change when Jay reaches sexually maturity and takes over as the dominant one in the pair. We are hopeful that they will become a breeding pair and produce cubs in the not too distant future which would be fantastic for us at the Zoo and the on going conservation and breeding programme for these incredibly endangered animals."

Asiatic lions are engendered with just 175 left in the wild.

Rajula MLA's car attacked in Amreli

23-07-2012
Rajula MLA's car attacked in Amreli
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Rajula-MLAs-car-attacked-in-Amreli/articleshow/15099489.cms

Rajula BJP MLA Hira Solanki has come under scanner for insisting on watching a captured lion at Mota Barman village in Khambha taluka of Amreli district on Saturday afternoon, which resulted in his men allegedly beating up a villager and the latter's associates attacking the legislator's car in retaliation.

Forest department officials had on Saturday captured the lion, which had killed 55-year-old Bhikha Parmar on July 18 at Nageshree village, from the outskirts of Lunsapur village. "The captured lion was being brought to Nageshree village before being sent to Sasan Gir. Meanwhile, a large number of people started following the tractor, which was pulling the trolley with the caged lion," officials said. The forest department took out a procession from Nageshree village just to show the people there that they have nothing to worry now as the lion has been captured. The tractor then headed towards Mota Barman village to avoid people. It was then decided to shift the lion to Sasan Gir in a forest department's vehicle.

"At Mota Barman village, three vehicles of Rajula MLA Hira Solanki came. Solanki was accompanied by his family members and men. He insisted on watching the captured lion. He rushed close to the lion but I stopped him and his family members as it would have been harassment of the lion. However, they thrashed me,'' said Ajay Vala, a resident of Nageshree village.

"Hira Solanki and his men thrashed me. They also threatened to kill me. I was injured in the scuffle. When I went to file a police complaint, police did not name Hira Solanki in the FIR. This despite the fact that he had taken out his revolver to threaten me," Vala alleged.

Cross complaints were filed at Khambha police station. Investigating officer K H Sandh of Khambha police station said, "Hira Solanki was trying to resolve the ongoing scuffle between Vala and his (Solanki's) men. Vala's allegation about Solanki is not true," said Sandh.

Vala had filed a complaint against Hira Solanki's son-in-law Chetan Shiyal, Jitu Makwana, Manoj Shiyal and his six private commandos. Manish Shiyal (brother of Solanki's son-in-law) had filed a complaint against Ajay Vala and seven others for attacking the legislator's family members. During the scuffle, Solanki's car was ransacked by the people.

When contacted, Solanki denied the allegations levelled against him. "I and my family members were going towards Khambha when our car was intercepted by these people. They ransacked our car and also attacked my family. I had not gone to watch the lion," he told TOI.

Big cats at war: Driven out by lions, leopards attack humans

23-07-2012
Big cats at war: Driven out by lions, leopards attack humans
DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_big-cats-at-war-driven-out-by-lions-leopards-attack-humans_1718674

The man-animal conflict at Gir seems to be growing. And it's not just with lions. Incidences of leopard attack on human beings too are increasing. They have more than doubled in the last two years.

The primary reason for this situation is the deserted sugarcane fields on the periphery of the forest, which attract the leopards. However, activists also claim that a certain degree of competition with the king of the jungle, the Asiatic lion, drives the leopard out of the forest in search of prey.

The rule of the forest is that the lion gets the first right of refusal. With the lion population expanding to 411 according to the latest census and the leopard population at 600, the competition is intensifying every passing day.

The year 2011-12 saw six deaths due to attack by leopards as against two in 2010-11. This year, two cases have already been recorded. Officials and activists who have been working in the Junagadh forest range, particularly close to Sasan Gir, insist that the increase in attacks is due to the increase in number of sugarcane fields.

Deputy conservator of forest, Sasan, Gir, Sandeep Kumar insists that there is enough prey base for both the big cats, but concedes that the leopard backs off when the lion stakes claim on a prey. "That is the rule of the jungle, the lion is the king," says the forester who is a keen observer of life in the wild. With the Supreme Court and international wildlife community breathing down the Gujarat forest department's neck on parting with a few lions for Madhya Pradesh, the forest department is hard-selling the ungulate population in the Gir forest region, but the officials are ominously quiet on the multiplying leopard population which competes with the lions for the forest's resources.

Another forest officer, refusing to be quoted, defends the man-animal conflicts claiming most attacks have happened on outsiders — non-residents of the area— and invariably all the victims are somehow associated with the sugarcane business.

"With more people getting into sugarcane farming, the leopards are finding a happy home in these fields. In sugarcane farming, once the crop is planted, the field only needs to be watered. This is done through a canal-like network. This means the field is left undisturbed for close to a year," said an official who closely monitored the developments.

Dinesh Goswami, an activist with Prakruti Nature Club, a local NGO which works for the awareness, interacted with the locals after a few incidents of leopard attack. He claims, "When people eat meat and fish and leave the bones behind, it attracts the leopards. This brings the feline in close contact with humans leading to attacks," said Goswami.

Cong leader demands ST status for Maldharis

22-07-2012
Cong leader demands ST status for Maldharis
The Indian Express By Syed Khalique Ahmed
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cong-leader-demands-st-status-for-maldharis/977783/

A day after joining Congress as chairman of party's Maldhari Cell in the state, former additional director general of police V V Rabari on Saturday demanded the Maldhari community engaged in animal husbandry and cattle rearing in the jungles of Gir, Barda and Alej be given the status of scheduled tribes as per recommendations of the 1990 Malkan Commission and the Maldharis of the Saurashtra region be treated as farmers as per the laws of the erstwhile Saurashtra state.

Speaking to The Indian Express after holding a meeting of the representatives of the community from across the state at the Congress party's state headquarters here on Saturday, Rabari said the matter had been raised at different points of time in the last two and a half decades, but the issue was not solved yet.

The Malkan Commission was set up at the instance of the late chief minister Chimanbhai Patel and in 1990, the Commission recommended that all the Maldharis comprising Bharwads, Rabaris and Charans castes living in the jungles of Gir, Barda and Alej be given ST status on the basis of their "Vigat Darshak Cards" for their educational and economic uplifting. However, it was never implemented, he said.

Havan in Gir to get rain for King of jungle

21-07-2012
Havan in Gir to get rain for King of jungle
DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_havan-in-gir-to-get-rain-for-king-of-jungle_1717939

As the state stares at a rain deficit, the staff at Gir Sanctuary have been performing havan to please the rain gods. Some of them have also been keeping fast to ensure timely and adequate rain.

The rain deficit in the state may also leave the King of the jungle and Gujarat's pride parched. Ever since the rainy season began, Gir has received just 60 mm of rainfall.

The jungle wears a green look these days, say officials but the situation may not be so green if rains fail.

"The rains have been very erratic. So far the monsoon has been able to wet just 6 to 10 cm of the top soil. This has ensured that there is greenery in the forest but all this could take a turn for the worse if the monsoon fails," said a forest department official.

The official also said that this could lead to a scarcity of water in the forest. "Usually by mid-July, the small streams and rivulets inside Gir are in full flow but, this year, this is yet to happen," said the official.

Another expert who has seen the terrain from close quarters said a good rain means water will be available in natural water sources like ponds and rivulets for a long time, thus negating the need for forest department officials to refill manmade watering holes. Even the water levels in the four dams in Gir are at the minimum mark.

"If the rains fail, the water level in the dams will fall leading to scarcity of water for irrigation and for animals as well," said an official. Chief conservator of forest, wildlife, Jungadh, RL Meena, when contacted said that at present the sanctuary had enough water to meet its needs."If rains fail, the effect will be seen everywhere and it will not be any different for Gir. But at this point in time there is no need to worry. "

"The water level is adequate and so far there has not been a need to manually fill the watering holes," said Meena. He said some of the staff at the sanctuary had also been holding havan to propitiate the rain gods. On the water-level in dams, he said as of now there was nothing to worry about. It should be noted that Junagadh, where the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is located, has so far received scanty rainfall.

Man-eater lion kills 50-year-old in Amreli, preys on him

20-07-2012
Man-eater lion kills 50-year-old in Amreli, preys on him
DND
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_man-eater-lion-kills-50-year-old-in-amreli-preys-on-him_1717542

In an unprecedented and shocking incident of man-animal conflict near the Gir forest, a lion dragged away a sleeping man from the verandah of his house and killed him. The king of the jungle ate up the 50-year-old man right up to his abdomen.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Nageshri village of Jaffarabad taluka in Amreli. Forest officials are desperately on the lookout to cage the lion as it is feared it could be a man-eating animal. Officials admit prima facie, it appears to be an unprovoked attack by the beast. This attack took place at a distance of around 50-60 km from the sanctuary area.

Significantly, this is the second incident of an unprovoked attack by lions in the last six months in the area. Earlier, a 25-year-old youth was attacked and killed in Dhodadar in a similar incident.

It is long known that the lions have spilled out of the sanctuary area and are reclaiming their traditional corridor, but earlier they were known to feast mostly on livestock, not on humans.

Sources working with the forest department said that a team of forest officials working with the Rajula range has done a thorough recce of the place. "Three cages with meat as bait have been set up for the lion in the area. We are confident of catching the animal," said an official who did not want to be quoted.

Sources said Jitu Parmar was sleeping in his shanty built 2 km from Nageshri village when the attack happened at 3 in the morning. Sources said the lion dragged the man 3 km from the place and by the time help reached him he had died.

Forest officials doubt that the lion had come in search of food, and the victim Parmar had a goat tied inside his shanty. "The lion might have come for the goat and the man must have intervened," said another source. Principal chief conservator of wildlife Pradip Khanna said the attack seemed unprovoked but it has also been noticed that the villagers had not taken sufficient precaution. "They are currently very scared so we will properly understand the situation after the lion is caught and their nerves are laid to rest.

This is not absolutely normal behaviour of a lion. The site will be thoroughly studied to understand the pride in that area and its behaviour patterns," he said.

Lions of Gir chase leopards from their kills

19-07-2012
Lions of Gir chase leopards from their kills
Times of India By Himanshu Kaushik
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Lions-of-Gir-chase-leopards-from-their-kills/articleshow/15038242.cms

The king of the jungle has turned plunderer. Lions of Gir chase leopards away from their kills. A recent incident bore testimony to this phenomenon. A lioness browbeat a leopard away from its kill of a chital and feasted on it along with her three cubs in Dedakdi area.

In this incident reported earlier this week, the lioness got attracted to the kill much after the leopard killed chital and started eating it. A beat guard who witnessed this incident said that as the smell of the flesh wafted, it drew the lioness and her cubs. Seeing the lioness approach, the leopard beat a retreat and climbed up a nearby hill.

"The lioness and the cub finished off the kill within a half-an-hour and left the area. The leopard kept staring at the remains, said Sandep Kumar, deputy conservator of forest, Sasan.

Kumar said this was not an isolated incident. "About 25-30 per cent of the kill by leopard was snatched away by the lions. A detail study about the food habits of the lions has revealed that there were more incidents of this kind this year compared to the past," he said.

Such incidents occur usually when lioness are roaming with their cubs in search of food. Those lions who are not in pride and are leading isolated lives also resort to such practice.

Leopards who lead solitary life easily fall prey to lions' plundering. However, there have been also instances of role reversal when leopards tried to steal lion's prey. But these attempts usually result in calamity. Recently, a leopard was killed by a pride of lions when it tried to steal their kill.

Foresters claim that there have also been some rarest of the rare instances where leopards have been successful in driving the lions away from their kills. Leopards generally target hyenas to snatch away their kills, said the forest officials.

Lion kills farmer in Amreli village

19-07-2012
Lion kills farmer in Amreli village
Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lion-kills-farmer-in-amreli-village/976513/

An Asiatic lion killed a farmer in a coastal village of Amreli district in the early hours of Wednesday. Forest officials said they have launched a hunt for the big cat, fearing the animal may attack villagers again.

Jasadhar range deputy forest officer J K Makwana said, "Bhikha Jalu (50) was sleeping outside his home at his farm in Nagheri village of Jaffrabad taluka when a lion reportedly dragged him away and killed him."

Police said it took locals nearly two hours to find and get the body back from the lion.

"The animal dragged the man around 4.30 am. His family members woke up after hearing his screams. When they located the lion, it took them around two hours to make the animal abandoned the body," said a Jaffrabad police officer.

Makwana said that a month ago, a youth was killed by a lion in the same area reportedly after he disturbed two big cats during mating.

But in the latest incident, there was no provoking, said officials.

Lion kills man

19-07-2012

Lion kills man
Times of India
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-one-died-due-to-lion-attack-3540144.html

- ઘરથી અડધો કિલોમીટર દૂર લઇ જઇને સિંહ તેની લાશ પર બેસી ગયો

જાફરાબાદ તાલુકાના નાગેશ્રી ગામની સીમમાં આજે વહેલી સવારે દેવીપુજક વાસમાં એક ઘરમાં સુતેલા આધેડને સિંહે ઉપાડી જઇ અડધો કિલોમીટર દુર લઇ જઇને તેને ફાડી ખાધો હતો. સિંહની ભુખ સંતોષાઇ ન હોય તેમ તે આધેડની લાશ પર બેસી ગયો હતો.

લોકોનું ટોળું દોડી ગયું હતું અને હાકલા પડકારા કરતાં સિંહ ત્યાંથી નાસી ગયો હતો.સિંહ દ્રારા આધેડને ફાડી ખાવાની આ ઘટના જાફરાબાદ તાલુકાના નાગેશ્રી ગામની સીમમાં બની હતી. જ્યાં દેવીપુજક વાસમાં રહેતા ભીખુભાઇ જલાભાઇ પરમાર નામના આધેડ ઘરમાં સુતા હતા ત્યારે વહેલી સવારે એક સિંહ ત્યાં આવી ચડયો હતો. અને ભીખુભાઇને ગળાથી પકડીને ઉપાડીને અડધો કિલોમીટર દુર લઇ ગયો હતો. અને તેઓને ફાડી ખાધા હતા.

બાદમાં પરિવાર જાગી જતા ભીખુભાઇ ન હોય અને પથારીની ચોતરફ લોહી પડયુ હોય તેમજ સિંહના સગડ હોય પરિવારે તુરત વનવિભાગને જાણ કરી હતી. આ ઉપરાંત લોકો પણ ત્યાં એકઠા થઇ ગયા હતા. અને ભીખુભાઇની શોધખોળ આદરી હતી. ઘરથી અડધો કિલોમીટર દુર લોકો ગયા હતા. ત્યાં તો લોકોની આંખ પહોળી થઇ ગઇ હતી. કારણ કે ભીખુભાઇની લાશની માથે સિંહ બેઠો હતો. અમરેલીથી વનવિભાગના સબ ડીએફઓ એમ.એમ.મુની સ્ટાફ સહિત ઘટના સ્થળે દોડી આવ્યાં હતાં. તેમજ પોલીસ તંત્ર પણ ત્યાં આવી પહોંચ્યું હતું. બાદમાં સિંહને હાકલા પડકારા કરતા તે નાસી છુટયો હતો.

બાદમાં ભીખુભાઇની લાશને પોસ્ટમોર્ટમ માટે રાજુલા દવાખાને ખસેડવામાં આવી હતી. અને સિંહને પાંજરે પુરવા કામગીરી હાથ ધરવામાં આવી છે. અત્રે ઉલ્લેખનીય છે કે આવ વિસ્તારમાં અનેક વખત સિંહો અને દપિડાઓ આવી ચડે છે. છ માસ પહેલા પણ આ જ વિસ્તારમાંથી એક બાળાને દપિડાએ ફાડી ખાધી હતી. આ ઉપરાંત બે માસ પહેલા પણ એક યુવકને સિંહે ફાડી ખાધો હતો. ત્યારે આ ત્રીજો બનાવ બનતા લોકોમાં ભયનો માહોલ ફેલાયો છે.

- સિંહને પકડવા પાંચ પાંજરા મૂકાયા

જાફરાબાદ તાલુકાના નાગેશ્રી ગામની સીમમાં આવેલ એક ઘરમાંથી વહેલી સવારના એક દેવીપુજક આધેડને સિંહ ઉપાડી લઇ જઇને તેને ફાડી ખાતા આ વિસ્તારમાં લોકોમાં ભય ફેલાયો હતો. ત્યારે આ સિંહને પાંજરે પુરવા વનવિભાગ દ્રારા પાંચ પાંજરા ગોઠવી દેવામાં આવ્યાં છે. આ ઉપરાંત વનવિભાગ દ્રારા રાત્રીના પેટ્રોલીંગ માટે એક ટીમ પણ બનાવવામાં આવી છે.

નાગેશ્રીની સીમમાં દેવીપુજક વાસમાં રહેતા ભીખુભાઇ પરમાર નામના આધેડને આજે વહેલી સવારે ઘરમાંથી એક સિંહ ઉપાડીને દુર લઇ જઇને ફાડી ખાધા હતા. અને બાદમાં સિંહ તેઓની લાશ પર બેઠો હતો. બાદમાં લોકો અને વનવિભાગ દ્રારા આ સિંહને હાકલા પડકારા કરી ભગાડયો હતો. અને લાશને પોસ્ર્ટમોર્ટમ માટે ખસેડવામાં આવી હતી. આ ઘટના અંગે ધારાસભ્ય હિરાભાઇ સોલંકીને જાણ થતા તેઓએ વનવિભાગને વળતર ચુકવવા તેમજ સિંહને તાત્કાલિક પાંજરે પુરવા તાકિદ કરી હતી.

વનવિભાગની રેસ્કયુ ટીમ દ્રારા આ સિંહને પકડવા માટે પાંચ પાંજરાઓ ગોઠવવામાં આવ્યાં છે. અમરેલી ડીએફઓ મકવાણા પણ ઘટના સ્થળે પહોંચી ગયા હતા. આ ઉપરાંત રાત્રીના પેટ્રોલીંગ માટે એક ટીમ પણ બનાવવામાં આવી છે.

તસવીરો : કનુભાઇ વરૂ, રાજુલા

સિંહ દ્રારા આધેડને ફાડી ખાવાની આ ઘટના જાફરાબાદ તાલુકાના નાગેશ્રી ગામની સીમમાં બની હતી. જ્યાં દેવીપુજક વાસમાં રહેતા ભીખુભાઇ જલાભાઇ પરમાર નામના આધેડ ઘરમાં સુતા હતા ત્યારે વહેલી સવારે એક સિંહ ત્યાં આવી ચડ્યો હતો. અને ભીખુભાઇને ગળાથી પકડીને ઉપાડીને અડધો કિલોમીટર દૂર લઇ ગયો હતો. અને તેઓને ફાડી ખાધા હતા. બાદમાં પરિવાર જાગી જતા ભીખુભાઇ ન હોય અને પથારીની ચોતરફ લોહી પડ્યું હોય તેમજ સિંહના સગડ હોય પરિવારે તુરત વનવિભાગને જાણ કરી હતી.

આ ઉપરાંત લોકો પણ ત્યાં એકઠા થઇ ગયા હતા. અને ભીખુભાઇની શોધખોળ આદરી હતી. ઘરથી અડધો કિલોમીટર દૂર લોકો ગયા હતા. ત્યાં તો લોકોની આંખ પહોળી થઇ ગઇ હતી. કારણ કે ભીખુભાઇની લાશની ઉપર સિંહ બેઠો હતો. અમરેલીથી વનવિભાગના સબ ડીએફઓ એમ.એમ.મુની સ્ટાફ સહિત ઘટનાસ્થળે દોડી આવ્યાં હતાં. તેમજ પોલીસ તંત્ર પણ ત્યાં આવી પહોંચ્યું હતું. બાદમાં સિંહને હાકલા પડકારા કરતા તે નાસી છુટ્યો હતો.

આ ઘટના પછી ભીખુભાઇની લાશને પોસ્ટમોર્ટમ માટે રાજુલા દવાખાને ખસેડવામાં આવી હતી. અને સિંહને પાંજરે પુરવા કામગીરી હાથ ધરવામાં આવી છે. અત્રે ઉલ્લેખનીય છે કે આ વિસ્તારમાં અનેક વખત સિંહો અને દીપડાઓ આવી ચડે છે. છ માસ પહેલા પણ આ જ વિસ્તારમાંથી એક બાળાને દીપડાએ ફાડી ખાધી હતી. આ ઉપરાંત બે માસ પહેલા પણ એક યુવકને સિંહે ફાડી ખાધો હતો. ત્યારે આ ત્રીજો બનાવ બનતા લોકોમાં ભયનો માહોલ ફેલાયો છે.

Rare Asiatic lion cubs born at Paignton Zoo

19-07-2012

Rare Asiatic lion cubs born at Paignton Zoo
BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-18914256

The four cubs will stay with mother Indu for about 12 to 18 months, before being sent to other zoos which also have an endangered species breeding programme

Rare Asiatic lion cubs born at a Devon zoo in May have survived their first "critical" weeks.

Paignton Zoo said the four critically-endangered cubs now have a "realistic fighting chance".

A cub born last year had to be put down when it was two months old and vets discovered it had spinal defects

Asiatic lions have been hunted "to the edge of extinction" and the Gir Forest in Gujarat is now their only remaining natural habitat.

There are believed to be fewer than 300 of the creatures left in the wild and a similar number in zoos around the world, which operate a conservation breeding programme for endangered species.

The four cubs, who were born on 15 May, have not yet been sexed or named.

'Cautiously excited'

"We don't get too close as we want them to be raised as naturally as possible," zoo spokesman Phil Knowling told BBC News.

"The cubs will stay with their mother for probably about 12 to 18 months - she's doing a good job and seems to be a natural."

For the eight-year-old father and mother, Mwamba and Indu, it is their first successful breeding after several failed attempts.

Neil Bemment, operations director and curator of mammals, said the survival of the cubs would be "very good news" for the endangered species.

"They have come through the critical first few weeks," he said.

"We have been letting Indu get on with being a new mum - so far she seems to be doing really well.

"We are cautiously excited - if she is successful then it will be thanks to a lot of care and attention from the keepers.

When the four cubs are deemed old enough, they will go to other zoos with an endangered species breeding programme.

Asiatic lions are smaller than African lions and have a distinctive fold of skin on the belly.

Lions make coastal belt their home

17-07-2012

Lions make coastal belt their home
Times of India
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-17/flora-fauna/32712863_1_lions-coastal-villages-amreli-district

From the lush green forests of Gir, lions are now finding a new home along the sea coast.

The lions seem to have permanently settled down around coastal villages of Rajula and Jafrabad talukas of Amreli district. While the lions have adapted to the local environment and finding sufficient prey, wildlife activists are concerned about the wild cat moving into industrialized areas along the coast.

Bhatt had sought details about the presence of lions in Kovaya, Ramapara, Bherai, Lunsapur, Lothpur and Mityala and how many animals they killed.

The area around six villages has a presence of cement companies like Ultratech, L&T and Narmada besides many proposed power plants of Torrent, Videocon, Syntex and Patel Engineering. Pipavav port and shipyard is also located here. The area witnesses heavy traffic, mainly trucks plying throughout the day.

Wildlife activists say there are over 25 lions on coastal villages of Rajula and Jafrabad talukas in Amreli district.

The information accessed under Right to Information (RTI) Act filed by activist Himanshu Bhatt in Savarkundla revealed that lions have killed at least 85 domestic animals since January in these coastal areas.

According to wildlife lovers, the lions were found straying into coastal areas since 10 years but now this area has become their permanent habitat. These lions have come out from their natural corridor in Khambha area.

"Lions making an industrialized belt their permanent home is a matter of concern now as this may impact the natural corridor of the wild cat," honorary wildlife warden, Amreli district, Vipul Laheri said. Senior forest officials said this area is part of greater Gir and lions have been mostly found in private lands, gauchar land and government wastelands in the area.

Indian state’s grip on rare lions may be too tight

14-07-2012

Indian state's grip on rare lions may be too tight
Businessmirror By Katy Daigle
http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/green/29887-indian-states-grip-on-rare-lions-may-be-too-tight

Supreme Court amicus curiae P S Narasimha sought directions from the apex court on the formation of a sub-committee to look into shifting lions to Kuno-Palpur from Gir.

The Gujarat government is fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court in the wake of a PIL filed by an environment group seeking translocation of some Asiatic lions from Gir to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno-Palpur sanctuary.

The amicus curiae proposed to the SC that a sub-committee be formed to look into the adequacy, preparedness of the staff and other factors including prey base. The committee according to the proposal should take a fresh into the issue.

Principal Secretary Forests and Environment S K Nanda confirmed that a proposal for a sub committee has been forwarded to the SC by amicus curie PS Narasimha.

Recently the Supreme Court had sent a team to Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh to take a view of all concerned parties including the local people.

The state wildlife board at a meeting in March, unanimously resolved that the opinions of the people of Saurashtra should be taken into consideration before a decision is taken.

Senior wildlife activists Lavkumar Kachar had argued that the lion belonged to the people of the Saurashtra, not to the Central or Gujarat governments. He said that the felines are an important part of the biodiversity of the area. He also argued that no government or agency could take a decision without the consent of Saurashtra's people. He added that the people of the region have played a major role in conservation of the lion.

Nanda said that Gujarat government has been pitching in the apex court that the issue of relocation of Lions to Kuno Palpur be looked into afresh as their population in Gujarat was steadily increasing. He further said that transferring the animals would adversely affect conservation.

Lion transfer: SC amicus seeks mandate for relook

14-07-2012
Lion transfer: SC amicus seeks mandate for relook
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Lion-transfer-SC-amicus-seeks-mandate-for-relook/articleshow/14871080.cms

Supreme Court amicus curiae P S Narasimha sought directions from the apex court on the formation of a sub-committee to look into shifting lions to Kuno-Palpur from Gir.

The Gujarat government is fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court in the wake of a PIL filed by an environment group seeking translocation of some Asiatic lions from Gir to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno-Palpur sanctuary.

The amicus curiae proposed to the SC that a sub-committee be formed to look into the adequacy, preparedness of the staff and other factors including prey base. The committee according to the proposal should take a fresh into the issue.

Principal Secretary Forests and Environment S K Nanda confirmed that a proposal for a sub committee has been forwarded to the SC by amicus curie PS Narasimha.

Recently the Supreme Court had sent a team to Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh to take a view of all concerned parties including the local people.

The state wildlife board at a meeting in March, unanimously resolved that the opinions of the people of Saurashtra should be taken into consideration before a decision is taken.

Senior wildlife activists Lavkumar Kachar had argued that the lion belonged to the people of the Saurashtra, not to the Central or Gujarat governments. He said that the felines are an important part of the biodiversity of the area. He also argued that no government or agency could take a decision without the consent of Saurashtra's people. He added that the people of the region have played a major role in conservation of the lion.

Nanda said that Gujarat government has been pitching in the apex court that the issue of relocation of Lions to Kuno Palpur be looked into afresh as their population in Gujarat was steadily increasing. He further said that transferring the animals would adversely affect conservation.

Does Madhya Pradesh have enough prey base for lions?

14-07-2012
Does Madhya Pradesh have enough prey base for lions?
DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_does-madhya-pradesh-have-enough-prey-base-for-lions_1715014

The conundrum of Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Palpur sanctuary for accepting Asiatic Lions continued in the Supreme Court in a hearing on Friday. The amicus curie in the case has suggested that an expert committee be formed to ascertain whether MP has the requisite prey base or not.

According to sources, there are differing opinions on Kuno's prey base readiness to accept a big cat like the Asiatic Lions. While the Gujarat government has asserted that the prey base is bad, Madhya Pradesh government says it is good. Meanwhile, an expert of Wildlife Institute of India has opined that the prey base is 'satisfactory'.

The amicus curiae said the committee should be formed by the National Board for Wildlife in India constituting wildlife experts who can determine the status. He argued that the National Wildlife Action Plan 2003 already makes a mention of the fact that in case of single isolated species there needs to be a provision to relocate them to other habitat.

Sources said that wildlife expert Ravi Chellam, when called for his opinion by the court, reportedly said that the area of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary was not sufficient for the lions, and the surrounding area was not 'protected'. He also said that there was no adequate staff and the figures of prey base released assessed by the forest department were highly suspect as the study was a short term one done on the basis of a few months' observation while ideally it should be of around a year. He also seemed to favour the formation of the committee to look into the feasibility of the relocation. The issue of shifting Asiatic Lions to an additional habitat in Madhya Pradesh is being debated in the Supreme Court with wildlife experts arguing that such a mass concentration of an endangered species in one habitat (Gir) can wipe it out in case of a calamity.

The Gujarat government has refused to part with any lions and has vociferously argued against the relocation. The issue has taken strong political hues with Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi personally being involved in it.

Rabbit poachers caught at Hadmatiya near Visavadar

13-07-2012

Rabbit poachers caught at Hadmatiya near Visavadar
Divya Bhaskar
http://epaper.divyabhaskar.co.in/rajkot/62/13072012/0/1/

Gir sanctuary: Another maldhari relocation project on the cards

12-07-2012
Gir sanctuary: Another maldhari relocation project on the cards
Express India By ADAM HALLIDAY
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/gir-sanctuary-another-maldhari-relocation-project-on-the-cards/973435/

A large, competing population of livestock and wild ungulates in and around Gir is overcrowding the area and leading forest officials into discussions about what can be done, much like in the early 1970s when maldhari, or pastoralist, families had to be relocated.

An internationally-funded study had then counted 21,000 domestic herbivores devouring much of the plants there, resulting in a low wild ungulate population of just a few thousand.

After maldharis were relocated, the population of wild ungulates (chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar, four-horned antelope, langur and chinkara) increased dramatically and their total population now stands at nearly 70,000.

"Livestock population has reached the 1970 levels again, and there is increasing competition between domestic and wild herbivores, leading to degradation of patches in the forest area and more cases of carnivores (the Gir region hosts Asiatic lions, leopards and hyenas) attacking the maldharis' livestock," said a veteran forest department official, adding the central government has been apprised of the situation.

Although a second maldhari relocation project is on the cards, top forest officials contend there is still much to debate before a full-fledged plan is laid out (in fact, the revised management plan being currently debated for the sanctuary and national park does not contain such a plan).

"On top of the list is the financial costs that will be required to move and resettle thousands of humans and tens of thousands of animals," said another senior official involved in the discussions.

The second is the resistance such a plan is likely to trigger, and even if that can be settled, rehabilitation packages will have to be negotiated, he said, somewhat wary that demands for such packages are likely to be exaggerated in some cases.

The third is whether or not the political class or agencies in the central government will fully back such a relocation project. Foresters say they will have to test the waters even if they take the entire onus of carrying out the groundwork themselves.

In the transition years of the 1960s and 1970s, the state forest department and a trio of institutions — Bombay Natural History Society, Smithsonian Institution and Yale University — had initiated a research, "The Gir Lion Project".

Aided by forester Sanat A Chavan, who has since retired, researcher Paul Joslin had recorded "about 21,000 domestic livestock graze within the (Gir) sanctuary and this number gets doubled or trebled during the dry season".

This had dire consequences. The research noted there was "very low ungulate biomass due to heavy grazing and browsing by domestic livestock" and lions fed "almost exclusively" on maldharis' livestock in the absence of their natural prey.

Meanwhile, the Asiatic lion population had dropped from 177 to 285 in just five years. And later, between 1972 and 1986, hundreds of maldhari families were shifted from the area and a rubber wall was erected to stop animals from grazing inside the sanctuary. Besides, wild ungulates were bred and introduced as prey for the carnivores.

From less than 10,000 in 1974, the wild ungulate population reached 69,972 by the time the lion population was estimated to be 411 in 2010.

The protected part of Gir forest covers 1,412 sq kilometres, which includes the national park and sanctuary.

New 109 sq km conservation reserve earmarked for lions in Ahmedabad

12-07-2012

New 109 sq km conservation reserve earmarked for lions in Ahmedabad
The Times of India
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-12/flora-fauna/32647891_1_asiatic-lions-lion-census-conservation-reserve

The swiftly-multiplying Asiatic lions of Gir have got the forest department to consider expanding the lion's kingdom. Now that these big cats have spread to parts of Amreli and Bhavnagar, the forest department has decided to mark a 109 sq km-area between Bhavnagar and Amreli as a conservation zone.

The new conservation reserve will be in the Jesar-Hipavadli zone. The area is spread across 109 sq km and is about 70 km from Gir forest. Officials said the state government will create breeding and water facilities for the Asiatic lion in the proposed reserve on the lines of those existing in Gir.

The only difference will be that this area will not be a national park, where movement of the people is restricted without valid permission. Here, all new activity in the area will be banned but the movement of people in the area will not be restricted.

The May 2010 lion census revealed that population of Asiatic lions has reached 411.

The census had also revealed that like Savarkundla, Liliya and adjacent areas of Amreli and Bhavnagar districts have a stable population of 53 lions.

Officials said that apart from being home to 53 lions, the area also acts as a corridor for big cats to travel along the banks of the Shatrunjay river. The area is a corridor to the newer territories near Bhavnagar and Amreli. In the conservation zone, humans will not be shifted out as is done in Gir National Park. Officials said that conservation zone status would pave way for the area to be declared a sanctuary.

"Once the proposal for a conservation reserve is cleared by the state, there will be restrictions on new industries in the area. There will also be no further mining here along with greater legal protection for the lion. A conservation reserve allows the human populace to co-exist in the area," said a senior officer.

Gir sanctuary: Another maldhari relocation project on the cards

12-07-2012
Gir sanctuary: Another maldhari relocation project on the cards
The Indian Express
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gir-sanctuary-another-maldhari-relocation-project-on-the-cards/973435/

A large, competing population of livestock and wild ungulates in and around Gir is overcrowding the area and leading forest officials into discussions about what can be done, much like in the early 1970s when maldhari, or pastoralist, families had to be relocated.

An internationally-funded study had then counted 21,000 domestic herbivores devouring much of the plants there, resulting in a low wild ungulate population of just a few thousand.

After maldharis were relocated, the population of wild ungulates (chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar, four-horned antelope, langur and chinkara) increased dramatically and their total population now stands at nearly 70,000.

"Livestock population has reached the 1970 levels again, and there is increasing competition between domestic and wild herbivores, leading to degradation of patches in the forest area and more cases of carnivores (the Gir region hosts Asiatic lions, leopards and hyenas) attacking the maldharis' livestock," said a veteran forest department official, adding the central government has been apprised of the situation.

Although a second maldhari relocation project is on the cards, top forest officials contend there is still much to debate before a full-fledged plan is laid out (in fact, the revised management plan being currently debated for the sanctuary and national park does not contain such a plan).

"On top of the list is the financial costs that will be required to move and resettle thousands of humans and tens of thousands of animals," said another senior official involved in the discussions.

The second is the resistance such a plan is likely to trigger, and even if that can be settled, rehabilitation packages will have to be negotiated, he said, somewhat wary that demands for such packages are likely to be exaggerated in some cases.

The third is whether or not the political class or agencies in the central government will fully back such a relocation project. Foresters say they will have to test the waters even if they take the entire onus of carrying out the groundwork themselves.

In the transition years of the 1960s and 1970s, the state forest department and a trio of institutions — Bombay Natural History Society, Smithsonian Institution and Yale University — had initiated a research, "The Gir Lion Project".

Aided by forester Sanat A Chavan, who has since retired, researcher Paul Joslin had recorded "about 21,000 domestic livestock graze within the (Gir) sanctuary and this number gets doubled or trebled during the dry season".

This had dire consequences. The research noted there was "very low ungulate biomass due to heavy grazing and browsing by domestic livestock" and lions fed "almost exclusively" on maldharis' livestock in the absence of their natural prey.

Meanwhile, the Asiatic lion population had dropped from 177 to 285 in just five years. And later, between 1972 and 1986, hundreds of maldhari families were shifted from the area and a rubber wall was erected to stop animals from grazing inside the sanctuary. Besides, wild ungulates were bred and introduced as prey for the carnivores.

From less than 10,000 in 1974, the wild ungulate population reached 69,972 by the time the lion population was estimated to be 411 in 2010.

The protected part of Gir forest covers 1,412 sq kilometres, which includes the national park and sanctuary.

Leopard attacks veternary doctor sleeping on terrace of his farm house at Sindhaj village near Kodinar

12-07-2012
Leopard attacks veternary doctor sleeping on terrace of his farm house at Sindhaj village near Kodinar
Divya Bhaskar
http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/SAU-leyopad-attack-on-doctor-in-rajkot-3512423.html?OF8=

પશુ તબીબ પર દીપડાનો હુમલો, કાન અને ગાલ ઉપર પંજો માર્યો

- વાડીમાં બનાવેલા મકાનની અગાશીમાં સૂતા હતા ત્યારે રાત્રે દીપડો ત્રાટકયો : કાન અને ગાલ ઉપર પંજો માર્યો

કોડીનાર તાબાનાં સીંધાજ ગામે ગીરદેવડી રોડ ઉપર વાડીમાંજ મકાન બનાવીને રહેતા પશુ તબીબ ગઇકાલે રાત્રે અગાશીમાં સુતા હતા ત્યારે ઓચિંતા આવેલા દીપડાએ તેમના પર હુમલો કરતા તેઓને કાન અને ગાલ ઉપર પંજો મારી લોહી લુહાણ કરેલ જોકે, તેઓએ પ્રતિકાર કરતા દીપડો પલાયન થઇ ગયો હતો.

પ્રાપ્ત માહિતી મુજબ સીંધાજમાં ગીરદેવડી રોડ ઉપર કાદાના પા નામે ઓળખાતી વાડીમાં પશુ તબીબ વિશાલભાઇ અરજણભાઇ બારડ (ઉ.વ.૨૧) મકાન બનાવીને રહે છે. ગઇકાલે રાત્રે તેઓ મકાનની અગાશી ઉપર સુતા હતા ત્યારે ૧૨ વાગ્યાનાં અરસામાં ઓચિંતો દીપડો આવી ચઢી અને તેના ઉપર હુમલો કરી તેઓના કાન અને ગાલ ઉપર પંજો મારી લોહી લુહાણ કર્યા હતાં.

જોકે આ પશુ તબીબે તુરતજ સર્તક બની અને પ્રતિકાર કરતા દીપડો આઘો ખસ્યો હતો પરંતુ થોડીક ક્ષણોમાં ફરી પાછો હુમલો કરતા તેઓએ સામનો કરી ધકકો મારી રાત્રીનાં આ અંધકારમાં દીપડો ભાગી છુટયો હતો. જ્યારે ગાલ અને કાન ઉપર મારેલા ઘા થી લોહી નીકળતા ડૉ.વિશાલ બારડને તુરત જ અહીંની રાનાવાળા હોસ્પિટલમાં અને ત્યાંથી સરકારી દવાખાને લઇ આવતા ૧૩ જેટલા ટાંકા લઇ સારવાર આપવામાં આવી હતી.

- દીપડાના હુમલાના બનાવથી ગ્રામજનોમાં ભય પ્રસર્યો છે

આ બનાવની જાણ થતાં સીંધાજનાં હરીભાઇ સહીતનાં આગેવાનો તેમજ માજી સરપંચ પહોંચ્યા હતાં તેઓનાં જણાવ્યા મુજબ આ વિસ્તારમાં દીપડો ખુબજ ગામની નજીક આવી ગયો હોય લોકોને બહાર નીકળવું કે રાત્રીનાં ખેતરમાં જવુ મુશ્કેલ બની ગયું છે.

Young Simbas establish huge kingdom

11-07-2012

Young Simbas establish huge kingdom
The Economic Times
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/flora-fauna/young-simbas-establish-huge-kingdom/articleshow/14814374.cms

Like in the movie Lion King, young Simba has come off age. Three-and-a-half-year-old Sandipan and his unnamed brother have established the largest kingdom in the Sasan Gir, spread over 100 sq km and including 32 big cats.

These are the two youngest rulers who have captured the biggest pride in the sanctuary. And, both have been accepted as rulers, even by other adult males.

Experts who have been monitoring Gir for years say this is unusual. H S Singh, additional principal chief conservator of forest and an expert on lions, calls this a rare phenomenon. "Usually a lions captures his own territory only after he is five years. Capturing a territory at such a young age is only possible if the opponent is weak and the new king is brave enough to take risks," Singh said.

Of the six groups present in the territory - spread over Dedakadi, Karambha, Paniya and Dedia villages - Sandipan and his brother have already mated with five females. Deputy conservator of forest Sandeep Kumar, who is monitoring the take-over in the tourism zone, said, "In my entire career, I have never come across an incident where lions this young have captured the territory and are being easily accepted by older big cats."

In May last week, the two brothers had established their supremacy over the biggest pride of the Gir forest and instead of pushing the old lion out, the duo stayed close to him until he died.

The last bastion, Paniya, which has presence of two adult lions, was conquered without any bloodshed. "We were expecting a fierce battle between these adults and the brothers. But, the take-over was very smooth with the two adults accepting the Sandipan's supremacy," said Kumar.

Gujarat puts ‘pride’ of lions at risk of disease and natural disaster to remain ‘world’s envy’

10-07-2012

Gujarat puts 'pride' of lions at risk of disease and natural disaster to remain 'world's envy'
The Telegraph By Katy Daigle
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120710/jsp/nation/story_15711247.jsp

A peacock shrieks. A monkey scrambles higher into the fire-coloured canopy of a kesudo (palash) tree. And an Asiatic lion pads across the dusty earth of Gujarat's Gir sanctuary, its only refuge from the modern world and where it has been rescued from near-extinction.

A century ago, fewer than 50 remained. Today more than 400 fill the park and sometimes wander into surrounding villages and farmland.

But the lions' precarious return is in jeopardy. Experts warn their growing numbers could be their undoing. Crowded together, they are more vulnerable to disease and natural disaster. There is little new territory for young males to claim, increasing chances for inbreeding, territorial conflict or males killing the young.

Conservationists agree these lions need a second home fast, and far from Gir. Government-backed experts in the 1990s settled on a hilly sanctuary called Kuno in Madhya Pradesh, where lions historically roamed with tigers. Millions were spent preparing the park but Gujarat rejected the plan and no lions were sent.

Now, the matter has reached the Supreme Court.

"We are the only ones who have lions. We have managed without interference until now," Gujarat environment secretary S.K. Nanda said proudly in his office, decorated with lion posters reading: "Gujarat's pride; World's envy."

"Can we humans be arbiters of where these lions should live? Should we move the mountains and the rivers too?" Nanda said. "If the lions want to move, let them move on their own."

Asiatic lions were once dominant in forests from Morocco and Greece across West Asia to eastern India, but the last of them outside Gujarat was gunned down in Iran in 1942. Those in Gujarat got a reprieve: a princely ruler banned hunting of the few dozen lions left in 1901.

The state created the 1,400sqkm Gir sanctuary, with constant patrols against poachers, cultivated grasslands for the lions' prey: spotted deer and blue-hued antelope, and a veterinary hospital.

A few dozen trackers keep count of the animals and fill artificial water holes.

Protecting the lions has been popular with locals, who consider the predators docile when not harassed. Farmers welcome them in their fields. Newly married couples visit them for good luck. Families break park rules to picnic by Gir's streams, unaware or unconcerned that they are water sources for the big cats.

"The lion is like a god to us," peanut farmer Sadik Hasein Chotiyara said. "If the lion attacks, it's because that person made a mistake."

But the local people in general are more open to sharing the lions with other states than Gujarat's leaders are. State officials insist that lion attacks on humans don't happen. Nonsense, say scientists and residents.

Research indicates confrontations are increasing as the growing cat population has pushed one in four lions into new mini-sanctuaries by riverbeds that snake through farms and villages. Most of the estimated 15 lion attacks each year happen outside the park. In April, a lion killed a 35-year-old man who was reportedly pelting it with stones.

Experts say Gujarat officials can best show their devotion to the lions by letting some go. The lions urgently need a second sanctuary, they say — one outside Gujarat to ensure genetic diversification and protection from disease or natural disaster.

Evidence suggests the gene pool is dangerously shallow, meaning a disease that affects one Gir lion could quickly affect many. Tanzania's Serengeti National Park saw a third of its 3,000 lions wiped out in 1994 by canine distemper, likely brought by tourists' dogs. Decades earlier, Tanzania's Ngorogoro Crater lions were decimated when rains spawned swarms of blood-sucking flies that left the cats with festering sores.

But Gujarat dismisses the idea that disease or calamity could pose a threat to the lions. To give the animals more space, the state recently opened a small second sanctuary on its coast. Conservationists say the two populations are still too close together.

To address gene pool concerns, Gujarat is breeding them in a zoo, but conservationists say it's ridiculous to think those could be a substitute for lions raised in the wild.

"If they really cared about the species' survival, they would want this second home," said conservation biologist William Laurance of Australia's James Cook University.

The Centre and Madhya Pradesh have already prepared the second lion home in Kuno, relocating villages and hiring specialists to build up a prey base for the cats. In 2006, an ecologist on the project filed a lawsuit challenging how such a plan could be enacted but no lions ever sent.

The Supreme Court is deliberating on the messy dispute and could, if it wants, resolve it within weeks. "People would never forgive us if we lose these beautiful cats," said Faiyaz Khusdar, the ecologist who filed the lawsuit.

Gujarat doubts that other states will keep lions safe. And here, they echo global concern.

Environmentalists increasingly question India's commitment to its endangered wildlife, including half the world's remaining tigers, its only black tigers, and more than half the world's Asiatic elephants and one-horned rhinos.

More than 40 animal and plant species have gone extinct in a half-century and 134 more are critically endangered. Poaching and poisoning are rampant. A recent study in the journal Biological Conservation counted 114 species being poached, including elephants and rhinos for their tusks and horns, and tigers for body parts used in Chinese medicine.

Many sanctuaries have been powerless to stop the killings. There are not enough rangers, and some may take bribes. While Gujarat's lions have been spared the worst, they still face the same threats.

A reported 34 of Gujarat's lions were poached in 2007. Another 10 were hunted in 2009 by criminals. Tigers also came under attack that year, disappearing from two sanctuaries in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

"They are not able to conserve their own wildlife; how can they protect ours?" said R.L. Meena, a Gujarat district wildlife warden. He insisted the state would defy any court order not in its favour. "They will not take our lions."

Some conservationists accuse Gujarat of using its hold on the lions as a tourism draw. Gujarat fires the same allegation at states willing to take lions in.

The Centre supports moving lions to Kuno but notes that Indian wildlife laws leave decisions to the 28 states. "We will not interfere," Union environment secretary Tishya Chatterjee said.

But New Delhi has intervened to protect wildlife before. It launched a nationwide tiger-protection project in the 1970s. In a situation similar to the lions, it ordered Assam to contribute rhinos for a second population to boost the gene pool in faraway Uttar Pradesh.

Environmentalists say the need for the Centre to protect species is not declining but rising as India's population and economy soar.

"Conservation in India is not about managing animals any more," said Divyabhanusinh Chavda of the World Wildlife Fund in India. "It's about managing people."