Gir: In two separate incidents in the Gir region, a five-year-old boy was killed in a lion attack in Dhari taluka, while in another incident in Girgadhda, an eight-year-old girl was rescued by her mother after a lioness grabbed her in its mouth.

According to forest officials, the first incident occurred in Manavav village of the Sarsia range in Dhari (Gir East), where a migrant family was living on a farm owned by Anakbhai Lakhubhai Wala. The victim, Dhawal Ishwarbhai Katara (5), was attacked by a lion while he was near the field. People working in nearby farms rushed to the spot and chased the lion away, but the child was seriously injured.

The child was rushed to a hospital in Chalala, where he died during treatment. Following the incident, the forest department has set up a cage in the area to capture the lion.

In another incident reported from the outskirts of Shana Vakiya village in Girgadhda taluka, an eight-year-old girl was attacked by a lioness while she was in a mango orchard with her mother.

Officials said Manishaben Rameshbhai Ramani and her daughter Riva (8) had gone to pluck mangoes in a Kesar mango orchard when a lioness, along with a cub that was already present in the area, suddenly attacked the child from behind and grabbed her in its mouth.

On seeing this, the girl’s mother ran after the lioness and threw stones at it while shouting for help. The lioness dropped the child and fled from the spot.

The injured girl, who suffered injuries on her chest, back, and other parts of the body, was rushed to Una Government Hospital for treatment. Doctors said her condition is serious.

Forest department officials also reached the hospital after being informed, and further investigation is underway. DeshGujarat