Trapped lioness dies in Girnar sanctuary

10/06/2016
Trapped lioness dies in Girnar sanctuary
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Trapped-lioness-dies-in-Girnar-sanctuary/articleshow/52681928.cms
Rajkot: A three-year-old lioness died after getting caught in a trap laid to catch small animals near Kathrota village that falls under the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary of Junagadh district.

According to sources, the incident occurred on June 7 night but came to light on Thursday.

S D Tilala, range forest officer, North Range of Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, said the carcass of the lioness was found at a farm owned by Rajesh Domadiya on the outskirts of Kathrota village. The place where the carcass was found falls under the sanctuary area.
"We have taken custody of the lioness carcass and sent it for post-mortem. Primarily it seems that someone had laid a trap to catch animals and ward them off from entering the fields," Tilala said.
"We have lodged a complaint against unidentified persons under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and are probing the matter further," Tilala added.

Search is on to identify the person who had laid the trap in the protected area.
"The issue is very sensitive as the trap was laid in the village that falls within sanctuary limits. There are over 40 lions in this sanctuary," said a forest official.