21 Asiatic Lions Dead In One Month In Gir Forest

At least 10 more lions have died in Gujarat's Gir forest, taking overall death toll to 21 since September 11, forest department officials confirmed on October 2, 2018. An official from  Gir forest department revealed that 11 lion deaths were reported between September 11 and September 19, while 10 more big cats died in next 10 days which means one death daily.

Unidentified infection in liver and kidney and internal fights between lions are stated to be main cause of death of lions. Junagadh chief conservator (wildlife) Dushyant Vasavda said;

" death cases are being looked into at  National Institute of Virology and Veterinary College, Junagadh. Scientists from Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh, have been called to look into matter. Moreover,  Gujarat government is making arrangements for required medicines and vaccinations from America."

READ: 11 Lions Found Dead In Gir Forest, Gujarat Govt Orders Inquiry

He furr said;

" deaths have been reported from Sarasiya area in Dalkhaniya range. Over 2000 forest department staff divided into 140 teams have checked 3,000 square kilometers of Gir area and found more than 700 healthy lions."

Meanwhile, 31 lions have been kept under observation in Akandkar Jamwal Animal Care. Gir forest is only natural habitat for Asiatic lions. In 2015, a total of 523 lions were found in forest. Earlier on September 21, Hitesh Vamja, veterinary forest officer of Gir Forest West said;

"Most of lions have died due to  lung infection. It was found that in some of m,  infection had also spread to or organs leading to death."

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Vamja assured that forest administration is making efforts to save remaining tigers by providing m with proper medical care.

"re is need to worry as forest department officials have taken necessary measures to prevent spread of this air-borne disease to remaining lions. We have vaccinated m to boost ir immunity against disease," he said.