Asiatic Lion - Data, Pictures & Videos

[Rishi]

Gujarat: 250+ lions died in past 2 years
 Mar 6, 2020

*This image is copyright of its original author

The biannual death number of lion increases again in Gujarat. 

While 92 died in 2011-12, 124 died in in 2013-14, 160 died in 2015-16, 184 (32 unnatural) died in 2016-17, 204 (27 unnatural) died in 2017-18, 222 (23 unnatural) died in 2018-19.
There has been death of 261 lions, including 123 cubs, in the last 2 years, although only 17 lions, 11 adults & 6 cubs died due to “unnatural” causes, such as getting hit by a train or falling into a well. 

Experts commented that these numbers indicate that lion population may have touched the 1000 mark, as there has been no further disease outbreaks among lions in Saurashtra. Still the competition is so high in & around Gir as well as its satellites, that atleast 1 in 5 of the lions die out every 2 years. 

Interestingly, the government data also revealed that unnatural deaths have steadily reduced over past 5 years.
Several measures including appointment of veterinary doctors as well as trackers, covering up or building of parapets around tens of thousands of irrigational wells at farmlands near forests, construction of speed breakers on roads passing through sanctuaries, fencing along the railway tracks with extra carefulness being exercised by train pilots in the area, has successfully brought down death of lions in accidents over the years! 

The government also stated that the number of leopard deaths in the state was 340 including 90 cubs in the two years since January 1, 2018. These included 95 unnatural deaths, including those in accidents. Reply