21/09/2018
Gujarat: Carcasses of 11 lions found in Gir forest
New Delhi: Carcasses of 11 dead lions was found in Gujarat's Gir forest on Thursday. The state government has ordered an enquiry into the unexplained deaths. The carcases of the animals were found on Thursday from Gir (East) division from Dalkhaniya range over the last few days.
"We have found carcasses of 11 lions from Gir forest range," said Deputy Conservator of forest (east) P Purushothama. Initially, one carcass was found in a forest near Amreli district's Rajula on Wednesday, and another three were found on the same day in Dalkhniya range area, a senior official told the news agency PTI. Seven other carcasses were found in the last few days.
"We have collected viscera samples of the dead animals and sent them to Junagadh Veterinary Hospital and are waiting for the postmortem report," the forest official said.
Another forest official Dr Rajiv Kumar Gupta said an inquiry will be conducted by the principal chief conservator of forest at the state level. "Primary information shows that eight deaths have occurred due to infighting. For the rest three, postmortem reports are awaited, Gupta told PTI.
PCCF wildlife A K Saxena said most of the deaths are due to "infighting" and subsequent injuries.
The resultant injuries of the infighting affected cubs and females. It's a trend which is being noticed over a period of three to four years, Saxena said.
Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani said a probe must be conducted to find out if the deaths occurred due to electrocution, poisoning and poaching.
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