Two Lionesses Found Dead in Gujarat; One Electrocuted by Illegal Farm Fence

Rajkot: Two lionesses were found dead in separate incidents in Bhavnagar and Gir-Somnath on Thursday. One lioness died after allegedly coming into contact with an illegally electrified wire arrangement at a farm in Bordi village of Mahuva taluka, while the other was found in an advanced state of decomposition in Rampara village of Una taluka and is suspected to have died following a fight with another lion.

In the first incident, a lioness was found dead at a farm in the Navnala Wadi area near Bordi village, under the Nana Khutvada-1 round of the Chhapri Beat in the Mahuva Wildlife Range. A preliminary investigation indicated that the lioness died due to electrocution.

The lioness, estimated to be between five and nine years old, was found at a farm owned by Nandlal Bhikhalal Jani. The farm was being managed by Gobarbhai Dadubhai Makwana, 58, a resident of Bordi.

According to preliminary findings, an arrangement had been made at the farm to supply electricity, allegedly through an illegal connection from a PGVCL power line. The lioness is believed to have died sometime before 6.36 am on August 27.

After being informed, teams from the Forest Department, FSL and PGVCL reached the spot and began an investigation. The Forest Department prepared a panchnama and took custody of the carcass before shifting it to the Gabbar Animal Care Centre for a postmortem examination. The exact cause of death and sequence of events are expected to become clearer after the postmortem and FSL examinations.

PGVCL has also imposed a fine of Rs 8,000 on Gobarbhai Makwana for allegedly drawing an illegal power connection from its electricity line and electrifying the farm area.

In the second incident, a lioness estimated to be between five and nine years old was found in an advanced state of decomposition on the outskirts of Rampara village on Thursday afternoon. The village sarpanch informed the Jasadhar forest authorities after spotting the carcass.

Forest officials who examined the body found injury marks on the rear portion and hind legs. As male lions are also known to frequent the area, officials suspect that the lioness may have died following a fight with a male lion. The exact cause of death will be determined after further examination.

The Forest Department has launched a search operation in the area and is monitoring the movement of lions. DeshGujarat