Amreli: The forest department has captured a mentally ill lioness who attacked 6 people in Babarkot in Jafrabad taluka of Amreli district a day ago.

The mentally ill lioness had attacked a tracker of the forest department early in the morning on Sunday at Babarkot. She then attacked two SRD jawans in a violent way. However, they survived as they combated her with their sticks. The lioness attacked three more people in the afternoon on the same day. The injured people were admitted to various hospitals for treatment. The lioness was spotted walking in the mines area at seashore in a video clip. She also bit the parked vehicles, it was learnt.

Approached by local BJP leader Hirabhai Solanki, the state cabinet minister of forest Kiritsinh Rana ordered the forest department to immediately capture the lioness. The teams of 108 ambulances were kept stand-by during the operation conducted by the forest department late at night to capture the lioness. The senior officials including Palitana and Shetrunji division DCF Jayan Patel joined the operation. The team of the Dhari, Khambha, Tulsishyam, and Sasan range were called. The operation succeeded at 3 am.

Dr. Aradhana Sahu, a senior official of forest department said – ‘A 5-9 year old lioness was captured at 3.00 am. The lioness could have been disturbed by locals, as she seemed getting irritated seeing bikes or cars. She could also have suffered by Rabies. Tests will be done to confirm this. It’s rare to see lions in such agitated mode. If she was chased or harassed or lured or approached with close distance then only she would behave like this. However her physical state will also be checked for which samples are taken.’

The forest department has also succeeded in capturing a stray panther in Khajod near Surat. The panther was captured in a cage set-up by the forest department at 11 pm on Sunday. The locals gathered in a large number to see the captured panther. Some people also climbed on the cage to click selfies. DeshGujarat