Two lions stroll Junagadh streets, video went viral

02/10/2016
Two lions stroll Junagadh streets, video went viral
The Times of India City
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Two-lions-stroll-Junagadh-streets-video-went-viral/articleshow/54634690.cms

RAJKOT: Two adult lions, one male and a female, were found strolling in Gandhigram area of Junagadh city on Saturday early morning. They moved around the locality on the outskirts of the city for over 20 minutes and then went back to the forest.

This is the second such incident when the wild cats have crossed the forest border to enter the Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC) area.

Earlier, in July, a pride of lions, including three adult females and half-a-dozen cubs, were seen jaywalking in Junagadh city.

In the wee hours of Saturday, the lions were seen walking in the narrow lanes of the residential area. The video recorded by a local shows the duo walking along the road and then enter the forest area after over 20 minutes.

The area where the lions were sighted borders the Gir forest area. According to forest officials, lions are frequently sighted on the road near Bhavnath taleti on the foothills of the Girnar mountain.

Local forest officials said that they were not aware of such an incident. However, they said that they have heard about it from local residents. The video of the lions walking on the streets was widely circulated on social media.

There are approximately 45 lions in the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans over 17,827 hectare. Junagadh is located just 2km from the sanctuary's boundary.

Earlier, in July, Junagadh resident Mrunal Joshi had recorded movement of a pride of lions jaywalking the streets of Junagadh. The pride included three lionesses and cubs that ventured nearly 3.5km inside Junagadh on a four-lane road which falls in ward number 1 of the Junagadh Municipal Corporation (JMC).

 

It is believed that the pride of lions came from the direction of Bhavnath taleti and wandered past the Damodar Kund, a boys' hostel, Gayatri temple, and a prominent Jain derasar. Roughly, 10,000 persons inhabit the areas along the road taken by the lions.