Maldharis who shot lioness video helped rescue it, say Gir forest officials

25-11-2014
Maldharis who shot lioness video helped rescue it, say Gir forest officials

The INDIAN Express

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/maldharis-who-shot-lioness-video-helped-rescue-it-say-gir-forest-officials/
A DAY after a video showing a man "teasing" a lioness went viral on social media, the Gujarat forest department said it was no mischief and was shot by two maldharis (herdsmen) who had helped forest officers track the carnivore.

"The video was shot by two maldharis on December 30, 2013 in Jasadhar range of Gir East division. They found the animal paralysed. While one of them tried to assess the its weakness by touching its tail, the other one shot the action on his cellphone. They informed forest officers and the lioness was taken to Jasadhar Animal Care centre late that evening," chief conservator of forests in Junagadh wildlife circle R L Meena said, adding that media had misunderstood the clipping.

In his report to higher authorities, Anshuman Sharma, deputy conservator of forests of Gir East division, identified the two maldharis as Kanu Vala and Shiva Lakhantra. The report said that Vala found the lioness in Tarbheti Taliya area of the forest and concluded that it was ill. He informed his uncle Lakhantra, who contacted forest officers. However, a trackers party from Jasadhar could not locate the big cat, the report states.

"In the evening, Vala took Lakhantra to the spot where the lioness had been lying. They found the lioness at the same spot. Lakhantra went closer to the lioness and checked with it with his stick. To assess its condition, he lifted its tail. Vala shot all this on his cellphone," Sharma said, referring to Vala's statement.

After local dailies reported on the video, state forests Minister Mangubhai Patel ordered an inquiry and sought a report within three days.
The DCF has forwarded his report to the state's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and a copy of the same is available with The Indian Express.

 

'Fear of extinction of Asiatic lions from Gir not scientific'

22-11-2014
'Fear of extinction of Asiatic lions from Gir not scientific'
Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/fear-of-extinction-of-asiatic-lions-from-gir-not-scientific-114112200406_1.html

Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani said here that scientific facts do not support the fear of extinction of Asiatic lions from Gir national park in Gujarat and emphasised on the need to create awareness among stakeholders in this regard. 

Addressing a gathering of activists and students at a wild life photography exhibition held yesterday, Nathwani said people and the state government are opposed to the idea of translocating some Asiatic lions from Gir forest (in Somnath district) to Kuno wild life sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. 

Supreme Court in April 2013 had ruled that some lions in the Gir forest be shifted to Kuno wild life sanctuary in MP within six months. 

"The apex court and Centre's fears, that a second home is needed to save Asiatic lions from extinction, were not supported by scientific proof. Kuno is not suitable for Gir lions owing to presence of tigers there, its eco-climate is different from that of Gir forest," he said. 

The MP said that there were 25 tigers in Kuno forest at one time but in July 2009, there was no significant tiger population. 

Translocation of lions from Gir will cause an irreparable damage to the sociology of lions in the state, he added. 

He also said the Kuno sanctuary has witnessed a rise in number of incidences of poaching in the recent past and claimed that there are more than 400 gun-licence holders in the region. 

The Gir national forest park is boasted as the pride of Gujarat which is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lions.

Two injured in leopard attacks in Gir-Somnath, Junagadh villages

21-11-2014
Two injured in leopard attacks in Gir-Somnath, Junagadh villages
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Two-injured-in-leopard-attacks-in-Gir-Somnath-Junagadh-villages/articleshow/45224954.cms
Two persons, including an eight-year-old girl, were attacked in two separate incidents reported from Gir-Somnath and Junagadh districts on Thursday. 

Sources said that a leopard mauled Jagruti Koli in Mein village of Una taluka in Gir-Somnath district on Thursday morning after it picked up the girl who was asleep in the open along with her parents who are agricultural labourers. However, her parents woke up in time and raised an alarm that led the large cat to abandon the injured girl. She was rushed to the government hospital in Una for treatment. 

In the second instance, 58-year-old Nanjibhai of Jetvadala village in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh district was attacked by a leopard while he was taking a stroll at his farm. He was rushed to a hospital in Visavadar. 

Another lion dies at Etawah safari, officials not sure why

17-11-2014Another lion dies at Etawah safari, officials not sure why
The Indian Express

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/another-lion-dies-at-etawah-safari-officials-not-sure-why/

An Asiatic lion, Vishnu, died at Etawah's Lion Safari on Sunday morning, weeks after a lioness succumbed of an undiagnosed disease there. Forest department officials are clueless regarding the exact nature of the disease that killed the two big cats.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's ambitious project, Lion Safari, had suffered a major blow on October 30 when lioness Lakshmi died due to cardio-respiratory failure. Both Lakshmi and Vishnu were brought to the upcoming breeding centre from Kanpur zoo in September. Before Kanpur zoo, the pair was kept at Hyderabad zoo where they had come from Gujarat.

A state government spokesperson on Sunday said Vishnu fell ill over one-and-a-half months ago and died of "cardio-respiratory failure following vital organ dysfunction".

"While the state government continues to claim it had sought advice from veterinary experts from the UK's zoo society and Born Free Foundation, forest officials overseeing the safari project still do not know the exact disease which killed the two Asiatic lions. Nor do they have information on the possible cause of infection.

Divisional Forest Officer, Chambal Division, A K Patel said they were waiting for the report from Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), which is diagnosing Lakshmi's disease. "They had collected samples and were expected to submit their report by now. We still don't know anything about the disease," Patel told The Indian Express, adding that the remaining six lions at the breeding centre are healthy.

Director, Lion Safari, K K Singh said six-year-old Vishnu's autopsy has been conducted. The viscera has been preserved and sent for examination at IVRI and Veterinary College, Pantnagar, he added.

Activists to protest in Delhi over delay in translocation of lions to MP

10-11-2014
Activists to protest in Delhi over delay in translocation of lions to MP
Hindustan Times
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/madhyapradesh/activists-to-protest-in-delhi-over-delay-in-translocation-of-lions-to-mp/article1-1284502.aspx

With Gujarat government yet to provide lions for translocation to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Palpur for ensuring their 'long-term survival', wildlife lovers and activists from Madhya Pradesh will hold a dharna in New Delhi from November 27, when the winter session of the Parliament is underway.

The dharna will be held under the banner of Environmental Action Group Prayatna, led by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey. Prayatna secretary Dubey, while talking to HT, said they (activists and wildlife lovers) were left with no other option but to stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar.

The Environmental Action Group has already filed a contempt petition against ministry of environment and forests and Gujarat government for not complying Supreme Court order on translocation of lions. "Somehow, the MP government is afraid to push the matter. We have been left with no other option but to take our demand directly to New Delhi," he said.

Dubey said that following the rejection of the curative petition filed by Gujarat government against translocation of lions, there was only one thing left — translocation of lions as soon as possible.

According to Dubey, he has also decided to write letters to all the members of Parliament from the state, including environment minister Prakash Javadekar.

Dubey said that in 1993, the Wildlife Institute of India had conducted a study to identify the best area for translocation of lions and they found Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in MP most suitable for the purpose.

"Wildlife lovers across the country want Modi to fast-track the translocation of lions as per the orders or the apex court. We are pushing for early shifting as scientifically October to February was the best time for translocation," said Sushil Levi, an activist, who will take part in the dharna.

In August this year, the Supreme Court had rejected a curative petition filed by Gujarat government against its order directing on translocation of lions to Kuno Palpur.

Earlier on April 15, 2013, the apex court in a judgment had directed that the lions be translocated to Kuno-Palpur from the Gir Sanctuary. The court had also formed a 12-member expert panel to decide on various aspects of the translocation.

More than 400 Asiatic lions exist in Gir Sanctuary. Experts express apprehensions that high rate of inbreeding could make them susceptible to epidemics.

Activists to protest in Delhi over delay in translocation of lions to MP

10-11-2014
Activists to protest in Delhi over delay in translocation of lions to MP
Hindustan Times
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/madhyapradesh/activists-to-protest-in-delhi-over-delay-in-translocation-of-lions-to-mp/article1-1284502.aspx

With Gujarat government yet to provide lions for translocation to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Palpur for ensuring their 'long-term survival', wildlife lovers and activists from Madhya Pradesh will hold a dharna in New Delhi from November 27, when the winter session of the Parliament is underway.

The dharna will be held under the banner of Environmental Action Group Prayatna, led by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey. Prayatna secretary Dubey, while talking to HT, said they (activists and wildlife lovers) were left with no other option but to stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar.

The Environmental Action Group has already filed a contempt petition against ministry of environment and forests and Gujarat government for not complying Supreme Court order on translocation of lions. "Somehow, the MP government is afraid to push the matter. We have been left with no other option but to take our demand directly to New Delhi," he said.

Dubey said that following the rejection of the curative petition filed by Gujarat government against translocation of lions, there was only one thing left — translocation of lions as soon as possible.

According to Dubey, he has also decided to write letters to all the members of Parliament from the state, including environment minister Prakash Javadekar.

Dubey said that in 1993, the Wildlife Institute of India had conducted a study to identify the best area for translocation of lions and they found Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in MP most suitable for the purpose.

"Wildlife lovers across the country want Modi to fast-track the translocation of lions as per the orders or the apex court. We are pushing for early shifting as scientifically October to February was the best time for translocation," said Sushil Levi, an activist, who will take part in the dharna.

In August this year, the Supreme Court had rejected a curative petition filed by Gujarat government against its order directing on translocation of lions to Kuno Palpur.

Earlier on April 15, 2013, the apex court in a judgment had directed that the lions be translocated to Kuno-Palpur from the Gir Sanctuary. The court had also formed a 12-member expert panel to decide on various aspects of the translocation.

More than 400 Asiatic lions exist in Gir Sanctuary. Experts express apprehensions that high rate of inbreeding could make them susceptible to epidemics.

Safari to have another pair of Asiatic lions from Gir

01-11-2014
Safari to have another pair of Asiatic lions from Gir
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Safari-to-have-another-pair-of-Asiatic-lions-from-Gir/articleshow/45007827.cms

The breeding centre of Lion Safari will soon get another pair of Asiatic lions from Gujarat.

The state forest department had stepped up efforts to get a pair of Asiatic lions from Gir Forest in Gujarat.

This was disclosed on Saturday by the state forest department and safari authorities. Director of Etawah Lion Safari KK Singh said : "A talk had already been initiated in this regard with the Gujarat forest department by senior officials of state. A team led by safari officials would visit Gujarat soon."

Safari authorities believe that lion Vishnu and lioness Lakshmi are offsprings of the same family. A veterinary officer said, "The immunity system of the lions of same family is quite low, so we will try to procure animals purely from the wild instead of the hybrid ones."

Lakshmi, one of the eight lions at the breeding centre in Etawah, died on Thursday.

The lioness had developed paralysis-like symptoms. Lakshmi's partner and nephew Vishnu is also showing symptoms of paralysis and undergoing treatment at the quarantine of lion safari.

Lakshmi and Vishnu brought from Hyderabad zoo, had been housed in Kanpur's Allen Forest for nearly one-and-a-half year before being shifted to Etawah on September 10.

Sources at the safari pointed out that Vishnu might be shifted to prevent other wild beasts from contracting infection.

Aman-Kumari, Heer-Raanjha and Kuber-Greeshma, the three pairs of Asiatic lions are being monitored round-the-clock by veterinarians. An exclusive breeding area had been created to house them when they arrived from Lucknow zoo to safari in the recent past.

According to wildlife activists, Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), also known as the Indian lion, is a lion subspecies that exists as a single population in Gujarat. It is listed as endangered by IUCN due its small population. The lion population has steadily increased in the Gir Forest National Park, more than doubling from a low of 180 in 1974 to 411 in April 2010, consisting of 97 adult males, 162 adult females, 75 sub-adults and 77 cubs.

"Lion Safari is being planned to create a world-class facility for the rare and endangered guests. The exhibit for lions will feature large open spaces similar to what they have in the wild and also an exclusive sprinting area for routine exercising," a forest official said.

Asiatic lion falls into well in Junagadh, rescued

04-11-2014
Asiatic lion falls into well in Junagadh, rescued
The Indian Express
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/asiatic-lion-falls-into-well-in-junagadh-rescued/

A male Asiatic lion reportedly fell into an open well in Amrapur village, some 85 kilometres west of Junagadh city, in Maliya Hatina taluka of the district early on Monday. However, the big cat was successfully rescued by forest department within hours and sent to animal care centre in Sasan Gir.

The incident came to light after residents of Amrapur informed forest officers that the lion, around seven to eight years in age, had fallen in the open well located on a farm of Badhabhai Rabari. Soon, a rescue team reached the spot and lowered a charpoy (bed) in the 60-feet deep well which was filled with water.

"After it jumped on the bed again, we tranquilised the lion and pulled it out of the well. It was in good health despite the fall. But we have sent it to animal care centre in Sasan-Gir as a precautionary measure. It will be kept under observation there for some time before we release it in the wild," Ramesh Katara, deputy conservator of forest (social forestry) of Junagadh district told The Indian Express.

Katara further said that the lion had fallen in the well accidentally on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. "There was no parapet on the edges of the well and the lion fell into it in the dark of the night," said the DCF.

Incidentally, forest department has helped farmers in the areas where lions roam, build protective parapets round their wells to help prevent deaths of lions. Asiatic Lion is a Schedule-I animal which enjoys highest protection under Indian wildlife laws. The DCF said that they had instructed Rabari to build such parapet after the incident.

The incident took place at Maliya Hatina taluka where 15 lions divided in three prides have settled permanently, forest officers said. The only wild population in the world of this endangered species is surviving in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary spread across Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Amreli districts. A few prides have settled in protected and revenue areas of Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts also.

According to 2010 census, there were 411 lions living in these four districts in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state.