No foul play in Gir lion deaths: Gujarat forest dept

21/09/2018

No foul play in Gir lion deaths: Gujarat forest dept

The Times Of India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/no-foul-play-in-gir-lion-deaths-gujarat-forest-dept/articleshow/65904255.cms

GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat forest department on Friday claimed that the death of 11 lions over the past eight days in the state's Gir Sanctuary was due to infighting and liver problems, and not foul play.

The carcasses of 11 lions were found from Gir (East) forest range. Nine of these were found in the Dalkhaniya range and two were recovered from the Jashadhar range, officials had said.

For administrative purpose, the Gir forest has been divided into two parts -- east and west.

In a press release, the Gujarat government said that three lion cubs were killed by a male lion to establish dominance and two lionesses and an adult lion died from respiratory and hepatic (relating to the liver) failure.

The post-mortem reports of five other lions, including two cubs and one lioness, are awaited, it read.

Preliminary probe conducted by the state forest department has revealed that some "nomad" lions might have invaded the territory of a lion pride and may have tried to establish their dominance.

"Lions are territorial animals who live in prides. Infighting is common when a lion, heading a pride and controlling a territory, becomes old or is down with disease or injury," Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) G K Sinha told reporters.

"Mainly, it seems that the death of lions is due to infighting. It is the tendency of lions to covet other's territory. If a lion succeeds in defeating the head of a pride, he also tends to kill the cubs in the pride," Sinha said.

"In the present case, we have found bodies of two adult male lions, three female lions and six cubs," he said, ruling out poaching or man-animal conflict as reasons for the deaths.

Sinha said infighting was also the cause of deaths of the three lions who had liver problems.

"It is possible that some of the lions and cubs might have fled from that area after the attack (by nomad lions) and hid themselves at a place having no food.

"Thus, starvation may have led to infection and eventually to their deaths" the PCCF said.

To decrease cases of infighting, Sinha said the entire area, where the deaths were reported, will be screened by forest staff and appropriate action will be taken after getting the details.

The forest official said40 lions died every year due to various reasons and some 60-70 cubs are born in the same period.

"This way, the lion population is growing at a healthy rate of around five per cent. As against 411 lions in 2010, the population reached 523 in 2015. It shows a healthy growth rate of over 27 per cent in five years" Sinha said.

Though the state government has notified a protected area for lions, these wild cats many a times venture out due to their natural tendency, he said, adding that this migration does not mean that the current area is not enough for them.

"The lion is a wild animal. They are reclaiming their natural habitat. They are now expanding their territories in adjoining Bhavnagar, Amreli and even some coastal areas," Sinha said.

He said that the department is aware about the lion movements outside Gir and had devised a plan for it.

"In addition to the Gir Protected Area, we have planned to create a Conservation Reserve in 109 square kilometre area in Bhavnagar and Amreli districts to address this issue" Sinha added.

Following the incidents of death, which occurred between September 12 and 19, forest staff have captured five lions, who are believed to have been involved in the infighting, from that area Thursday, said officials.

These lions have been moved to a rescue centre, they added.

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani also took cognisance of the matter and assured that steps will be taken against officials if found guilty of carelessness in performing their duties.

"We have taken this matter seriously. Lions are the pride of Gujarat. We will take appropriate steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen.

"We will take action against those found guilty of showing a callous approach," Rupani told reporters in Bharuch.

State forest minister Ganpat Vasava claimed that the lions had died due to infighting or infection, not due to poaching or drinking poison-laced liquid that locals sometimes place to get rid of the big cats.

"Our government is committed to the protection of lions. The CM is in constant touch. We have sent a team to the spot to conduct a probe. "Preliminary inquiry suggests that poaching or poisoning was not the reason behind the deaths," said Vasava.

The state government Thursday had ordered an inquiry after carcasses of 11 lions were found in Gir (East) division of the forest.

Additional chief secretary, forest and environment department, Dr Rajiv Kumar Gupta, had said the inquiry was being conducted by principal chief conservator of forest (Wildllife) A K Saxena.

As per the 2015 census, Gir is home to 523 lions, including 109 male, 201 female, 73 sub-adults and 140 cubs.

Guj readies Barda Dungar as 2nd abode for lions

06/10/2018

Guj readies Barda Dungar as 2nd abode for lions

Nyoooz

https://www.nyoooz.com/news/ahmedabad/1229748/guj-readies-barda-dungar-as-2nd-abode-for-lions/

"Barda Dungar is spread over 343 km and located 80 km from Gir in Porbandar district . AHMEDABAD: Under fire for the deaths of 23 lions due to deadly CDV and babesiosis infection outbreak in Gir, the Gujarat government conceded it is set to fast track moving lions to the Barda Dungar sanctuary.Ganpat Vasava, forest and environment minister, said, "We have decided to expedite shifting lions to Barda Dungar following death of 23 lions. Barda along with Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh and two other sanctuaries were shortlisted as probable second home for lionsway back in 1995. This will be a second home for the lions within the state. There are also unconfirmed report of couple of lions reaching the Barda area recently."The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in its report had advocated that lions should be physically transferred by forest department in Barda Dungar to ensure it remains a free range isolated lion habitat and not connected with Gir Sanctuary through any natural corridor.

Death of 23 lions at Gir national park reignites debate over finding the animals a second home

05/10/2018

Death of 23 lions at Gir national park reignites debate over finding the animals a second home

HindustanTimes

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gir-lions-deaths-reopen-second-home-debate/story-HWfF5k6GZM1H89k1rfDAGK.html

The death of 23 Asiatic lions in their only abode in Gujarat's Gir national park since September 20, some because of the canine distemper virus (CDV), has reignited the debate over finding them a second home.

Experts say the paucity of big animals inside the park's wildlife area for the lions to prey on, their increasing dependence on domestic cattle and congestion are some reasons for the spread of CDV. The Gujarat government has confirmed that four of the lions died of CDV, whose carriers are normally feral dogs.

Test reports of the remaining dead lions are awaited.

In the past, the Gujarat government has denied the presence of CDV but the deaths of four lions from Junagarh's Sakkarbaug Zoo, sent to Etawah's lion safari, were attributed to canine distemper. Anish Andheria, president of the Wildlife Conservation Trust, said many lions in Gir killed domestic cattle for prey as there weren't enough big animals like bulls in the wild.

"A lion does not eat the entire prey at one go. In between, the dogs consume the kill and infect it with the CDV. Once the lion returns to finish it off, its gets the deadly disease. And it spreads among the pride," he said.

The reason given by Andheria seems plausible as all the 23 animals who died were part of one pride of 26 lions. The remaining three have been isolated and are in Jamwada care centre, said Gujarat forest minister Ganpat Vasava. The CDV is more dangerous for lions than tigers. This is because lions move together in large numbers, making them more vulnerable to the virus as compared to tigers that are more isolated and territorial animals. "You will never hear that so many tigers have died of CDV," Andheria said.

Delhi-based biologist Fayaz Khudsar, who filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking translocation of the lions to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh, said 184 lions died in Gir in the last two years, most in and around the 100 villages on Gir's boundary.

"The data clearly shows that lions were coming out of Gir looking for domestic cattle as prey as they are easy to hunt," he said.

Both Andheria and Khudsar also blamed increasing congestion in the three divisions of Gir for the deaths, saying the weaker prides were being pushed out of the 1,400 sq km core habitat to the periphery, which has a comparatively smaller prey population. The lion population is spread over 22,000 sq km across five districts in Gujarat.

According to the Gujarat forest department's 2015 census, one-third of the 523 lions in the region were living outside the core, making them susceptible to viruses. This is because the lion count has almost doubled since 1990, when it was 284. The latest initial estimates put the count at over 600 lions. While experts are unanimous that lions from Gir should be translocated, there are differing views on Kuno Palpur being the alternative habitat, as recommended by the Supreme Court in April 2013.

Ravi Chellam, a wildlife biologist on whose report the SC recommended the translocation, said Kuno Palpur was ready to take in the animals. "In April 2013, the Supreme Court directed the Government of India and the state governments of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh to translocate lions from Gir to Kuno Palpur within six months...," said Chellam. "(but) Gujarat has largely been adopting delaying tactics and there is no sign of the lions being translocated," Chellam said.

H S Singh, member of the National Board for Wildlife, said Kuno Palpur was not suitable for lions because of high temperatures and the presence of tigers.

On Thursday, the Gujarat government announced that two safari parks would be set up – one near Ahmedabad and another in Narmada district, close to the Statue of Unity – to accommodate the growing number of Gir lions in the state.

Did The Failure To Set Up A 'Second Home' For In Madhya Pradesh Cause Lion Deaths In Gir?

05/10/2018

Did The Failure To Set Up A 'Second Home' For In Madhya Pradesh Cause Lion Deaths In Gir?

News

https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/did-the-failure-to-set-up-a-second-home-for-in-madhya-pradesh-cause-lion-deaths-in-gir-354235.html

Five years ago, the Supreme Court had ordered the shifting of some lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh, where a second home was to be set so that the species is saved from extinction, due to catastrophes like epidemic etc.

But, the order dated April 15, 2013, never got implemented as Gujarat government refused to transfer 40 lions to the Palpur Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in MP citing various reasons.

The order gains significance in the wake of the recent mass deaths of lions in Gujarat where 23 big cats have died at Gir Sanctuary since September 12. According to reports, some of the deaths were caused by canine distemper virus (CDV).

The virus, which can spread from dogs in the wild, killed around 1,000 lions in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park.

Lion population in Gir was estimated to be at 523 lions, including 109 male, 201 female, 73 sub-adults and 140 cubs in 2015 census. It is since estimated to have gone up to nearly 600.

With nearly one-third of them living outside the core, which makes them susceptible to viruses relocating at least some of the lion population becomes crucial for the species.

Following the recent lion deaths, Gujarat government has announced the setting up of two safari parks, one in Ahmedabad and in Narmada district to accommodate the growing population of big cats.

"One such park would come up near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's upcoming 'Statue of Unity' near Rajpipla town of Narmada district and another one near Ahmedabad," Minister of State for Forest Raman Patkar said at Vapi in Valsad district.

In addition, people residing near Barda mountain in the eastern side of the Gir Sanctuary will be relocated elsewhere in a bid to provide a permanent habitat to lions, said the minister.

Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, some locals staged a protest at Sheopur, demanding that some of the lions be shifted to Palpur-Kuno.

'Kuno Abhyaranya me Sher Lao Sangharsh Samiti' (Committee for agitation to bring lions to Kuno sanctuary), led by its chief and Congress leader Atul Chouhan, organized a protest.

"In the last ten years, 100 crores spent to develop Kuno-Palpur as a second home for Asiatic lions. 25 villages were rehabilitated, affecting 10,000 families. But the Gujarat government has not given a single lion to Kuno- Palpur sanctuary," Mr Chouhan told PTI.

"The Vijay's Rupani government had admitted (in Gujarat Assembly) that in the last two years 184 lions died in Gir due to infighting, contagious infections, floods and railway accidents, among other reasons," Chouhan added.

Gujarat to shift lions from Gir to Barda

06/10/2018

Gujarat to shift lions from Gir to Barda

Times Of India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gujarat-to-shift-lions-from-gir-to-barda/articleshow/66093394.cms

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government remained fierce about its turf, deciding to move Gir lions to Barda Dungar sanctuary in Porbandar. The state has come under fire over the shocking deaths of 23 of a 26-strong pride of lions, from the deadly CDV and babesiosis infection outbreak in Gir.

Ganpat Vasava, forest and environment minister, said: "We've decided to fast-track the shifting of lions to Barda Dungar. This will be their second home within the state."

Barda Dungar is a sprawl of about 343 km and located 80 km from Gir in Porbandar district. Barda along with Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh and two other sanctuaries were shortlisted as probable second homes for lions back in 1995. When Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government to translocate the lions to Kuno Palpur in 2013, Gujrat worked at a feverish pitch to develop a second habitat to host the lions within Gujarat.

Even global expert on lion conservation Craig Packer and lion expert Ravi Chellam had questioned Gujarat government for dragging its feet on the lions' relocation. Gujarat has been prickly over the relocation of the lions after Supreme Court directed they be taken to MP's Kuno Palpur.

It may only be a matter of time before the state is mandated to part with its lions and move them to Kuno Palpur as directed by the apex court.

The death of five out of 23 Asiatic lions in Gujarat's Gir forest was caused by Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), the same virus which was responsible for deaths of 30% of total lion population in east Africa a few years back.

Tests carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Pune's National Institute of Virology (NIV) have confirmed the cause of the deaths and their scientists have recommended existing CDV vaccines which should work to prevent any more deaths due to the deadly virus.

Committee Set Up to Relocate Gir Lions in 6 Months Has Met Only 6 Times in 5 Years: RTI

06/10/2018

Committee Set Up to Relocate Gir Lions in 6 Months Has Met Only 6 Times in 5 Years: RTI

News18

https://www.news18.com/news/india/committee-set-up-to-relocate-gir-lions-in-6-months-has-met-only-6-times-in-5-years-rti-1900661.html

New Delhi: The expert committee that had been set up in April 2013 by the Supreme Court to ensure that lions are shifted from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh has only met six times since then.

This is, as per an RTI filed by Delhi-based advocate Gaurav Bansal. In its response, the Union Ministry for Environment and Forest said, "So far six meetings of the Expert Committee have been convened to discuss upon various issues pertaining to translocation of Asiatic lion from Gir Wildlife Sanctuary to Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh."

The Expert Committee had also visited Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary to "overview the preparations of Madhya Pradesh forest department".

The committee was set up by the Ministry after orders from the apex court on April 15 2013. A six-month deadline was set for shifting the Asiatic lions. The delay resulted in a contempt petition, which was discharged in March 2018 after the MoEF assured the court that it would expedite the project.

During this period, the relocation of the lions has been underscored by objections raised repeatedly by the Gujarat government and bureaucratic delays by the MoEF and the Madhya Pradesh government.

For instance, Gujarat insisted on completing over 30 studies as per the relocation guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) before releasing the lions. These are recommended by the IUCN but are not mandatory.

"Everyone the committee, barring the representatives from Gujarat argued that some of these studies could take place while the relocation took place. But the Gujarat government didn't budge," said a member.

The RTI response added, "After intense discussions in various meetings a detailed Action Plan for the reintroduction of the Asiatic lions in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary Madhya Pradesh have been prepared and is under process of finalization."

Locals demand shifting of lions from Gir Sanctuary to Palpur-Kuno sanctuary

05/10/2018

Locals demand shifting of lions from Gir Sanctuary to Palpur-Kuno sanctuary

Devdiscourse

https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/other/206570-locals-demand-shifting-of-lions-from-gir-sanctuary-to-palpur-kuno-sanctuary

Following reports of deaths of lions in Gir Sanctuary in Gujarat, local people staged a protest at Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh Thursday, demanding that some of the big cats be shifted to Palpur-Kuno sanctuary and saved from extinction.

`Kuno Abhyaranya me Sher Lao Sangharsh Samiti' (Committee for agitation to bring lions to Kuno sanctuary), led by its chief and Congress leader Atul Chouhan, held a protest here. As per the Gujarat forest department, 23 lions have died at Gir Sanctuary since September 12.

At least 11 of them have succumbed to a virus infection, officials have said. Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in MP's Sheopur district is considered a part of the same Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.

The protest at Sheopur featured donkeys carrying banners which read "Sher de do, hame le lo" (Take us (donkeys) in exchange for lions) and "Gir ke Sheron-ko virus se bachao, Kuno pahunchao" (Protect Gir lions from the virus, sent them to Kuno.)

"In the last ten years, Rs 100 crore were spent to develop Kuno-Palpur as a second home for Asiatic lions. 25 villages were rehabilitated, affecting 10,000 families. But the Gujarat government has not given a single lion to Kuno- Palpur sanctuary," Chouhan told PTI over the phone.

When the BJP is ruling at the Centre as well as in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, why it was finding it difficult to shift some of the lions from Gir to Kuno-Palpur as the animals are facing the threat of extinction, he asked. Even the Supreme Court had given its nod for transfer of lions to Madhya Pradesh, he claimed.

"The Vijay's Rupani government had admitted (in Gujarat Assembly) that in the last two years 184 lions died in Gir due to infighting, contagious infections, floods and railway accidents, among other reasons," Chouhan said.

If some of the lions are not shifted to Palpur-Kuno, protesters will not allow the scheduled opening of the gates of the sanctuary for visitors on October 16, he said.

After Gir Lion Deaths, Demands To Shift The Remaining To Madhya Pradesh

04/10/2018

After Gir Lion Deaths, Demands To Shift The Remaining To Madhya Pradesh  

NDTV

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/after-gir-lion-deaths-demands-to-shift-the-remaining-to-madhya-pradesh-1927008

SHEOPUR: Following reports of deaths of lions in Gir Sanctuary, local people staged a protest at Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, demanding that some of them be shifted to Palpur-Kuno sanctuary and saved from extinction.

'Kuno Abhyaranya me Sher Lao Sangharsh Samiti' (Committee for agitation to bring lions to Kuno sanctuary), led by its chief and Congress leader Atul Chouhan, organized a protest.

As per the Gujarat forest department, 23 lions have died at Gir Sanctuary since September 12. At least 11 of them have succumbed to a virus infection, officials have said.

Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh's Sheopur district is considered a part of the same Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests eco-region.

The protest at Sheopur featured donkeys carrying banners which read "Sher de do, hame le lo" (Take donkeys in exchange for lions) and "Gir ke Sheron-ko virus se bachao,

Kuno pahunchao" (Protect Gir lions from virus, sent them to  Kuno.)

"In the last ten years, 100 crores spent to develop Kuno-Palpur as a second home for Asiatic lions. 25 villages were rehabilitated, affecting 10,000 families. But the Gujarat government has not given a single lion to Kuno- Palpur sanctuary," Mr Chouhan told PTI over phone.

When the BJP is ruling at the Centre as well as in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, why it was finding it difficult to shift some of the lions from Gir to Kuno-Palpur as the animals are facing the threat of extinction, he asked. Even the Supreme Court had given its nod for transfer of lions to Madhya Pradesh, he claimed.

"The Vijay's Rupani government had admitted (in Gujarat Assembly) that in the last two years 184 lions died in Gir due to infighting, contagious infections, floods and railway accidents, among other reasons," MrChouhan said.

COMMENT

If some of the lions are not shifted to Palpur-Kuno, protesters will not allow the scheduled opening of the gates of the sanctuary for visitors on October 16, he said.

Shift Gir lions to Palpur-Kuno sanctuary in MP, local people demand

04/10/2018

Shift Gir lions to Palpur-Kuno sanctuary in MP, local people demand

The Tribune

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/shift-gir-lions-to-palpur-kuno-sanctuary-in-mp-local-people-demand/663159.html

Sheopur (MP), October 4

Following reports of deaths of lions in Gir Sanctuary in Gujarat, local people staged a protest at Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, demanding that some of the big cats be shifted to Palpur-Kuno Sanctuary and saved from extinction.

'Kuno Abhyaranya me Sher Lao Sangharsh Samiti' (Committee for agitation to bring lions to Kuno sanctuary), led by its chief and Congress leader Atul Chouhan, held a protest here.

As per the Gujarat forest department, 23 lions have died at Gir Sanctuary since September 12. At least 11 of them have succumbed to a virus infection, officials have said.

Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in MP's Sheopur district is considered a part of the same Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests eco-region.

The protest at Sheopur featured donkeys carrying banners which read "Sher de do, hame le lo" (Take us (donkeys) in exchange for lions) and "Gir ke Sheron-ko virus se bachao, Kuno pahunchao" (Protect Gir lions from virus, sent them to Kuno.)

"In the last ten years, Rs 100 crore was spent to develop Kuno-Palpur as a second home for Asiatic lions. 25 villages were rehabilitated, affecting 10,000 families. But the Gujarat Government has not given a single lion to Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary," Chouhan told PTI over phone.

When the BJP is ruling at the Centre as well as in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, why it was finding it difficult to shift some of the lions from Gir to Kuno-Palpur as the animals are facing the threat of extinction, he asked.

Even the Supreme Court had given its nod for transfer of lions to Madhya Pradesh, he claimed.

"The Vijay's Rupani government had admitted (in Gujarat Assembly) that in the last two years 184 lions died in Gir due to infighting, contagious infections, floods and railway accidents, among other reasons," Chouhan said.

If some of the lions are not shifted to Palpur-Kuno, protesters will not allow the scheduled opening of the gates of the sanctuary for visitors on October 16, he said. — PTI

'Swallow pride, find second home for Gir lions'

04/10/2018

'Swallow pride, find second home for Gir lions'

Nyoooz

https://www.nyoooz.com/news/ahmedabad/1227916/swallow-pride-find-second-home-for-gir-lions/

The Supreme Court has directed translocation of lions to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh way back in April 2013. Lion expert Ravi Chellam and one of the key planners of lion translocation project says, "We have failed to hold the government accountable despite the very far-sighted SC judgement of April 2013. I suggest it should be wiser if second habitat is in Gujarat."There are two options for a second home for lions and both have not fructified due to various technical, emotional and political reasons. Unfortunately, the Gujarat government seems to be still in a denial mode."Closer home in Gujarat, state government has identified Barda Dungar sanctuary in Porbandar, located 80km away from Gir, as alternative site to Kuno Palpur. The identification had happened way back in mid-1990s soon after the Serengeti lion deaths in Tanzania in 1994.

Lion deaths: Conservationists still divided over translocation to Madhya Pradesh

04/10/2018

Lion deaths: Conservationists still divided over translocation to Madhya Pradesh

DNA

https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-lion-deaths-conservationists-still-divided-over-translocation-to-madhya-pradesh-2671280

he recent deaths of 23 lions within just 20 days has renewed the debate on translocation of lions to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Palpur.

The process has been in limbo despite an SC ruling. While the SC order had seen almost unanimous opposition among conservationists in Gujarat, the recent incidents have left many wondering whether translocation is a good idea.

Pravinbhai Gohil, a teacher involved in creating environment awareness and conservation, said that it's an option whose merits need to be considered. "We were lucky that the present deaths were contained to a limited area. What if it happens on a larger scale?" asked Gohil.

He said a virus that can wipe out 23 lions can wipe out more too. But he warns that any translocation should be done after taking into consideration all the merits and demerits.

"We need to think about the good of the species. It's about conserving them. There is a need to create a better gene pool and there have been earlier instances of an entire population being wiped out," added Gohil.

However, not everyone agrees.

"Sending the lions to MP would be knee-jerk reaction. Our main objection is not about sharing lions with MP but with the site chosen for translocation. It is a tiger corridor and could give rise to lion-tiger conflict," said Priyavrat Gadhvi, member of the state wildlife board.

He said lion deaths are a matter of concern and proactive measures need to be taken to contain the outbreak.

"The department is already isolating the lions and observing them closely. The pro-translocation experts' argument, that the lions live in close quarters, are also not true because they are spread across 20,000 sq km. Also, the distance between two lion populations is, in many instances, greater than the average distance between tiger populations," he added.

Will Madhya Pradesh CM dare to call on Narendra Modi for 'Gir Lions'

04/10/2018

Will Madhya Pradesh CM dare to call on Narendra Modi for 'Gir Lions'

The Times Of India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/will-madhya-pradesh-cm-dare-to-call-on-narendra-modi-for-gir-lions/articleshow/66065793.cms

BHOPAL: Gujarat lions is an issue which Shivraj Singh Chouhan always remained silent in 15 years of his chief ministership.

Now that 23 of Gir lions have succumbed to deadly CDV & babesiosis infection outbreak in Gir, wildlife officials want Chouhan to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rescue these magnificent species by shifting them from Gujarat to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

While MP had won the eight-year-long legal battle with Gujarat in 2013, the latter had been dilly-delaying compliance.

"There is no delay on our part. We are ready. Its centre to decide about when and how to translocate the lions," said Shahbaz Ahmad, chief wildlife warden of MP.

A recent meeting between the MP government and its Gujarat counterparts at Bhopal over translocation of Gir lions to Kuno Palpur sanctuary remained inconclusive. Chief wildlife warden of Gujarat forest department Akshay Saxena who was present in the meeting held at state's wildlife headquarters went away asking more time to examine the 'action plan'. This despite, wildlife Institute of India (WII)- Dehradun's recommendation that Kuno is ready for translocation of lions and has ample prey base.

Questions are also being raised as to why Madhya Pradesh government has never filed contempt against the Gujarat government for not complying with the Supreme Court's order on shifting lions.

Miffed by the court order on its Gir lions, Gujarat had been asking a string of questions regarding MP's suitability to house the big cats for the past years. Among other things, they said that both weather and scarcity of prey in Kuno sanctuary would pose a problem. MP officials claim with an increase in prey base, Kuno has become the most suitable place for shifting Gir lions.

"I don't understand why MP government is not taking strong step in this regard. What we always feared has happened. The only purpose of making an alternative habitat for lions was to save them from disastrous virus attacks. We have lost 23, timely action can save the species. I will move court against the government," says Ajay Dubey, wildlife activist who had filed a contempt petition in the court on the matter.

"Instead of discussing the matter in a closed room, Shivraj Singh Chouhan should dare to discuss this matter with Narendra Modi now. Its high time," he added.

Infection led to Gir lion deaths, admits Gujarat

04/10/2018

Infection led to Gir lion deaths, admits Gujarat

The Tribune

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/infection-led-to-gir-lion-deaths-admits-gujarat/662909.html

Manas Dasgupta

Gandhinagar, October 3

Rapped by the Supreme Court and the High Court, the Gujarat Government today for the first time admitted that the deaths of almost all the 23 Asiatic lions in the last three weeks in their only abode in Gir sanctuary of Saurashtra were caused by a serious infectious disease—canine distemper virus (CDV).

Forest Minister Ganpat Vasava and Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) Rajiv Gupta told mediapersons that all the lion deaths occurred in Dalkhaniya range in Amreli district, which raised the suspicion that something might be amiss in the area. The blood and DNA samples of the deceased lions sent to the Pune Institute of Virology had confirmed the causes of deaths to be CDV and babesiosis protozoa infections carried by ticks often found in domestic animals.

Vasava and Gupta said 23 of the 26 wild cats kept at the rescue centre at Jamwala had died due to the disease while the remaining three "apparently looked to be healthy, though considerably weakened". The minister said vaccines to counter the epidemic being imported from the US were expected to arrive here by tomorrow after which the infected wild cats could be definitely saved.

After unsuccessful bids all these days to pass on the series of lion deaths to had been caused by "infighting for territorial supremacy," a common feature among the lions, the state government for the first time today recognised the existence of the infections disease, an issue repeatedly highlighted by nature lovers and wildlife experts who had been advocating for creation of a second abode away from Gir at Kuno-Palpur forest range in Madhya Pradesh to prevent total annihilation of the endangered species in case of outbreak of an epidemic. The state government, however, had refused to part with a single lion, holding the wild cats as the "pride of Gujarat."

Gir deaths: Experts slam delay in shifting lions to 2nd home

05/10/2018

Gir deaths: Experts slam delay in shifting lions to 2nd home

The Times Of India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/swallow-pride-find-second-home-for-gir-lions-experts/articleshow/66061967.cms

NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD: More than five years after the Supreme Court ordered that the Asiatic lion must have a second home, the death of 23 lions in the past three weeks to a deadly canine distemper virus (CDV) and babesiosis outbreak in Gir, Gujarat, is causing growing concern among experts over the slow pace of progress in the translocation project.

Overruling Gujarat's objections, the SC had in April 2013 ordered that a few lions from Gir must be shifted to Kuno Palpur sanctuary, spread across 344.68 sq km, in Madhya Pradesh to keep the Big Cat population safe in the event of a disaster. Gir is the only home of free-roaming Asiatic lions in the world.

"Those who have delayed the translocation in defiance of the Supreme Court order must be held responsible for exposing the lions to this kind of risk of extinction," said wildlife biologist Ravi Chellam, one of the moving forces behind the relocation project.

Bhopal-based RTI activist Ajay Dubey, whose contempt petition in the SC over the delay in the relocation was disposed of in March this year after the Centre had assured the court of action in the matter, plans to move court again.

"We will file another contempt petition in the SC within a day or two since no substantial progress has taken place in the case," Dubey told TOI.

The last meeting of the expert committee set up to oversee the translocation took place in December 2016, Chellam said. "That was a field visit to Kuno Palpur where we all agreed that the sanctuary was ready to host lions. There have been six-seven meetings in all but no progress on the ground. The objective, it seemed, was to distract people in paperwork," said the expert who is a member of the committee.

Officials from Gujarat in the panel have demanded that the translocation should take place as per 31 guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), one of which requires a "natural corridor between the original site and the new site for Asiatic lion."

The state's officials also stressed the need for a "thorough assessment of attitudes of local people (at Kuno) to the proposed project to ensure long-term protection of the reintroduced population."

Meanwhile, Gujarat had also proposed to shift some lions to a new home within the state instead of MP. Said lion expert and member of the National Board for Wildlife, H S Singh, "It is high time that the big cats get an alternative home. I suggest it should be wiser if that alternate home is located in Gujarat."

Gujarat government in October 2014 got the Wildlife Institute of India's clearance for readying a 109 sq km area in Barda Dungar sanctuary in Porbander district - roughly 80 km from Gir forests. But the project hasn't taken off due to lack of political will and protests by the local Maldhari community.

"Barda currently suffers from a very prey base and presence of some 70 Maldhari settlements. But the point shouldn't be Kuno versus Barda. It can well be Kuno and Barda. Kuno is ready to take lions. But the issue is not conservation or biology-related, it is more political," said Kausik Banerjee, wildlife biologist at WII.

"If the CDV outbreak becomes an epidemic, there's a real threat of other Gir prides getting the infection. This combination of CDV and babesiosis had killed more than 1,000 lions in Serengeti in east Africa in 1993-94, wiping out a third of the population there," Banerjee warned.

While the translocation debate rages on, the Gujarat government's cabinet on Wednesday decided to procure 300 CDV vaccines from the US to ensure timely inoculation of Asiatic lions against the deadly viral disease.

Pride and fall: After deaths of 23 lions in Gujarat’s Gir reserve, search for solutions.

03/10/2018

Pride and fall: After deaths of 23 lions in Gujarat's Gir reserve, search for solutions.

MirrorNowNews.Com

https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/article/pride-lion-lions-cubs-asiatic-gujarat-gir-reserve-forest-girnar-sanctuary-wildlife-translocation-kuno-palpur/293241

New Delhi: The deaths of at least 23 lions in Gujarat's Gir forest reserve in less than three weeks have shocked conservationists and animal lovers. Gir is the only place on Earth where the Asiatic lions still roam free, and India's entire population of around 500 wild Asiatic lions lives here.

According to the forest department, the deaths were due to infections and infighting within the pride.

In 2016 and 2017, more than 180 lions died in the forest, a worrying spike in the death toll from the two years prior to that.

The questions are urgent: What are the specific challenges facing Gir and the other protected areas for lions in Gujarat, and what can we do to protect these magnificent animals?

A success story

The Asiatic lion was on the verge of extinction in the first decades of the 20th century. But thanks to conservation efforts, their population increased four-fold between 1965 and 2015, and now hovers around 500. Yet, the Asiatic lion continues to be endangered. The lions are found in the protected areas of Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuary, Pania Sanctuary and Girnar Sanctuary, spread across a total area exceeding 1,600 square km.

Space crunch

While the conservation efforts at Gir have been rightly lauded in India and abroad, the increased numbers of lions simply don't have enough space to thrive in their designated areas, experts say. That's why lions are increasingly spotted outside the perimeters of the protected areas. Poaching has not been a major issue here, but with the lions encountering humans more often, it has all the makings of a classic man-animal conflict. Attacks on livestock are on the rise, and fatal attacks by lions on villagers have also been reported.

All eggs in one basket

Wildlife experts have feared for decades that any outbreak of a disease or a deadly fire could be devastating for Gujarat's lions and consequently for Asiatic lions as a whole. That's why in the early 1990s, it was proposed to translocate lions from Gir to Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. But the plan got stuck – and remains stuck to this day -- as the Gujarat government is reportedly not enthusiastic about the idea. The matter has even reached the Supreme Court, but no action has been taken so far.

The recent deaths of lions in Gujarat have once again rung alarm bells. One can only hope solutions are found quickly. Ensuring that the Asiatic lion continues to roar is India's special responsibility. The world is watching.

Conservation on the edge

07/10/2018

Conservation on the edge

Research Matters

https://researchmatters.in/news/conservation-edge

The first week of October is observed in India as the 'Wildlife Week'. On the global scenario, the past year has some good and bad news for wildlife— an increase in the number of mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda, extinction of the Spix's macaw, a bird from the Amazon rainforests, and the only surviving male Northern white rhino in the world, breathed his last. Closer home, we recently lost over 20 lions in the Gir forest for reasons not yet known. So, how is India faring in conserving its wildlife? What are some of the challenges animals in the wild face?

India is the only country in the world that is home to three iconic species of cats—the Asiatic lion, the Bengal tiger and the Indian leopard. Unfortunately, all of them are classified as 'threatened' under the IUCN Red List. Thanks to successful conservation policies and efforts from the forest department, wildlife NGOs, researchers and conservationists in recent times, there has been an increase in the number of flagship species. For example, the number of estimated wild tigers in the country has increased from 1411 in 2006 to 2226 in 2014. However, the overall picture of the wildlife in the country still looks grim.

As a consequence of the urbanisation and development projects across the country, the size of our natural forests has been shrinking. A recent study from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) showed that forest land in the district of Uttara Kannada had rapidly decreased from 57.31% in 1979 to 32.08 % in 2013. There is also the problem of roads fragmenting forests into disconnected islands. With the increase in population of wildlife and shrinking habitats, these animals are now venturing beyond the boundaries of protected areas or forests, into neighbouring villages and towns, leading to conflicts with humans.

From crop-raiding elephants, nilgais and monkeys, to people being attacked by tigers, leopards, bears and snakes, we are at loggerheads with wildlife every day. On an average, in India, we kill over 80 elephants and 30 tigers every year through electrocution and road/train accidents amongst others, while one human is killed every day by elephants and tigers alone!

A recent example of such an escalated conflict can be seen in the hills around Pandharkawada, a town in Maharashtra, where a six-year-old tigress seems to have turned a 'man-eater'. While officials claim that in the last two years she has killed at least five people, local reports claim the number could be well over 10. After several failed attempts to capture the tigress, who now has two cubs, the Supreme Court approved tranquilising the tigress by the forest department or to shoot her at sight. While this could solve the immediate problem at hand, is this really a solution to the bigger problem? No, say experts, calling such steps a shear failure of humanity.

Development projects in and around forests and wildlife corridors also pose a considerable conflict threat. The Yethinahole River Diversion project, which aims to pump water from the Western Ghats to other parts of the state, is located in the forests that are home to elephants, gaurs, leopards and other animals. Destruction of this habitat could lead to more human-animal conflicts in the future and result in the loss of both human and animal life. The rampant construction and mining activities in the periphery of the Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) near Bengaluru, has resulted in elephants often straying into surrounding villages. Thanks to the decision by the state's Mines and Geology Department to close 15 mines in the region, the elephants are now back in BNP.

The state of Karnataka has a thriving wildlife population, with over 400 tigers and 6000 elephants—the highest in the country. A recent report says we also have over 2500 leopards in the state. Controlling this flourishing population poses a challenge.

Wild ungulates, when found raiding crops, are often declared as 'vermin' and killed en-masse by poisoning, electrocution, and shooting. Crop-raiding elephants also often become the victim. There are already 14 elephant deaths in Karnataka by electrocution alone this year. Incentivising people in such wildlife conflict zones could help them tolerate such attacks. "We need to create a platform where insurance companies cover crop losses in areas where human-wildlife conflict occur. Right now, we only compensate ex-gratia. We need a system where people who suffer losses are compensated adequately", opines Mr. Mohan Raj. The state Forest Department is currently testing a phone-based app for easy dispersal of compensation for affected people.

Mr. CR Naik, a deputy Range Forest Officer at the Kali Tiger Reserve also believes that our wildlife is well protected within our sanctuaries. However, there is cause for worry when it comes to smaller fauna. "Most people only want to see charismatic species like tigers, leopards or black panthers (melanistic leopards) and in the process, the lesser-known but equally interesting animals like snakes, frogs and insects are often neglected", he remarks. A study reported that amphibians comprise 50% of all roadkills in the Western Ghats.

Snake bites are one of the results of the increased human-animal conflicts. Last year, there were over 7600 cases of snake bites reported in Karnataka. There could also be many snakes killed due to fear and lack of awareness. In an attempt to change that, Mr. Naik and his staff at the Kali Tiger Reserve are rescuing over 500 snakes every year from settlements on the periphery of the reserve.