Gujarat's tragic loss of lions continues

With four more carcasses of Asiatic lions being found near the receding waters of Shetrunji River in flood-hit Amreli and Bhavnagar districts in Saurashtra region on Sunday, the death toll of lions has climbed to nine. The death toll of humans has also touched 90. Confirming the deaths of at least nine lions, a senior forest official said nearly 30 lions are still missing. According to him, most of the lions died due to the flood in Shetrunji River alongside Gir forest. Of the carcasses, three were found from Amreli district and one from Bhavnagar district.

During search operations in the last four days, as many as nine carcasses have been found. Flash floods following unprecedented heavy rains in the drought-prone Saurashtra region also claimed 150 blue bulls, four spotted deers, a wild boar and a porcupine. The forest officials are also anticipating that more bodies of wild animals may be found in the coming days as the water of Shetrunji River has started receding.