Lion attacks two daily wager temporary drivers of forest department in Devaliya lion safari cum interpretation zone in Gir forest

Update: One of two persons attacked was dead. A lion had dragged him in bushes. A forest guard on task to recover victim’s dead body also faced attack by lion. He was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injury

Sasan Gir (Gujarat): A lion today attacked at least two persons in Devaliya interpretation zone cum safari area situated at a distance of 13 km from here in Gir Somnath district.

The lion had taken away one of them and the attempts to search and rescue him was on.

CCF Junagadh D T Vasavada said that as per primary reports the two were drivers employed by the forest department on daily wage basis.

‘While one of them has been rescued and admitted to hospital the search and rescue operation for the other one was on,’ he said adding that more details of the incident would be shared later.

Two victims are identified as Rajni and Dinesh it is learnt. There’s no official confirmation, but one of two victims is believed dead. Park has been closed for tourists for today.

Notably, the Devaliya interpretation zone has been turned in to a lion Safari recently and it remains open even during Monsoon when the 110 sq km tourist zone of Gir National Park cum Sanctuary remains closed for 4 months every year. Gypsy vehicles have also been introduced for seeing lions in Devaliya interpretation zone where earlier only mini buses were used for the same.

DeshGujarat