Asiatic lions of Gir Sanctuary in Gujarat seem to be losing their bite. Two doctors, Dr Jalpan Rupara and Dr Purvesh Kacha, in a study, Ecology of lions in Greater Gir landscape, have highlighted that both lions and humans appeared to be suffering from fluorosis due to water contamination.
Fluorosis is a disease characterised by tooth decay and deterioration of bones and joints due to high content of flouride in ground water. The one year long study covered an area of nearly 250 sqkm in lathi liliya in Amreli district, which has a population of about 40 lions.
The study revealed that out of eight lions studied so far, tooth decay was found in three. One lion has lost all but two of the 26 teeth, second has lost four and third has lost three. These lions were not reported to have met any accidents. This is intriguing as lions are not recorded to lose teeth in their lifetime. Minor deformities in bones were also recorded.
The doctors have deduced in their study that this dental loss in lions is due to high flouride content in the ground water in the region. The area was known to cause fluorosis in humans. However, the same effect has been observed in lions as well, which were found to suffer primary fluorosis, the study notes.
The reason cited for this was that lions in this region drink from ponds and rivulets, which are known to turn salty during summers and winters due to high contaminants.
According to CN Pandey, Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, the Forest Department has taken up a study on fluorosis amongst the lions in lathi liliya area. Anand Veterinary Institute has been assigned with the task. If the study concludes that the lions are suffering from fluorosis, a management plan will be drawn up. Water for lions is presently being supplied through tankers to make sure they do not take the underground contaminated water, he said.
The officials further informed that the experts while examining post-mortem reports of the dead lions from the area will keep track on the decaying of bones and the number of teeth.
The study is unique in the sense that it deviates from the usual subjects on man-animal conflicts. For a change it deals on a common issue affecting both animals and human.
Further, this pathbreaking study that has come on time to protect the endemic lions of Gir is not being being pursued by any veterinary expert, but radiologist-anesthetists trained to treat humans. But it is love for wildlife that prompted the Junagadh-based doctor duo to undertake this one-year-long study and come up with such startling results.