Amidst the ongoing controversy over the death of lions in the Gir National Park and Sanctuary, one more carcass of an Asiatic lion was found around 2 km away from the sanctuary.
The carcass of the adult lion was found in the western part of the Gir forest near Visavadar town in Junagadh district. According to Chief Conservator of Forest DT Vasavada, prima facie the death of the lion near the western side of the sanctuary seemed to be natural and it has nothing to do with the death of 23 lions which died due to multiple reasons in Dalkhania range situated on the opposite eastern side of the Gir forest.
Vasavada said that the age of the lion would be around 2-3 years.
The body has been sent for post mortem to confirm the cause of the death, he said adding that there was no symptoms of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) infection in the big cat’s body.
It is worth mentioning that since September 12 this year, as many as 23 lions were died in Dalkhania range of Gir Sanctuary and most of them reportedly died of CDV infection.
The other reason of the deaths of these beasts according to officials is infighting and territorial war among the strong lions.
Gir forest and surrounding areas are considered as the only abode of Asiatic Lions in the world.
As per the last lion census in the area conducted in the year 2014, there were 523 big cats in eight districts of Saurashtra region that including 109 mature male, 201 female, 73 sub-adults and 14o cubs (below one year).