Gandhingar:

A total of 184 lions have died in last two years in the Gir forests and around it in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, which was the only abode of Asiatic lions in the world.

However only 32 ( 7 male, 17 female and 8 cubs) of these had died unnatural death while 152 ( 32 male, 57 female 63 cub ) lost their lives owing to natural reasons.

Forest and Environment minister of Gujarat Ganpat Vasava informed this in the state assembly today in reply to a question.

He said that of the 184 lions (74 female, 71 cubs and 39 male) died in last two years, 104 deaths ( 12 unnatural, 92 natural ) were in 2016 while 80 (20 unnatural and 60 natural) were in 2017.

Notably, the five yearly Lion Census conducted last time in May 2015 had estimated the population of Asiatic lions at 523 (27% up compared to previous census in 2010). The population was 411 in 2010 and 359 in 2005. As per the 2015 census, the population of lions in Junagadh district was 268, Gir Somnath 44, Amreli District 174 (highest increase) and in adjoining Bhavangar District was 37. Of them there were 109 males, 201 females and 213 cubs.

DeshGujarat