Babesia Disease Kills 5 Gir Lions, Forest Department on High Alert

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — Alarm bells are ringing once again in Gujarat’s famed Gir forest after a deadly outbreak of Babesia disease claimed the lives of five Asiatic lions, including three cubs, raising serious concerns among wildlife authorities and conservationists. The disease, which had triggered panic in Gir in 2018, has resurfaced after nearly eight years, prompting the forest department to launch intensive monitoring and medical intervention measures.

The latest deaths were reported from areas located along the border of the Gir West and Gir East forest divisions, where forest officials have now intensified surveillance of lion prides and initiated health screening procedures to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Jaipal Singh confirmed the deaths and said authorities were maintaining round-the-clock monitoring of lions in the affected region.

“Five lions, including three cubs, have died due to Babesia disease. Continuous monitoring and veterinary care are being carried out to ensure the safety of other lions,” he said.

Babesia is a tick-borne parasitic disease that weakens animals by infecting red blood cells, often leading to severe anemia, weakness, and death if not treated in time. Wildlife experts consider the disease particularly dangerous for lion cubs and weakened animals.

However, Gujarat Minister Arjun Modhwadia sought to reassure the public, stating that only two lion deaths were directly suspicious due to the viral infection, while other deaths were linked to conflicts and health complications.

“This virus spreads through insects and causes weakness in animals. The forest department has conducted investigations to identify infected lions, and teams are actively working in the area. At present, the situation does not appear extremely alarming,” Modhwadia said.

Following the outbreak, the forest department shifted an entire pride of eight lions from the revenue area near Jar village in Dhari taluka under the Sarsia range to Jashadhar Animal Care Centre for observation and treatment. Veterinary teams have been conducting medical examinations and collecting blood samples from lions kept under close watch inside protected enclosures.

Officials said recent lion deaths reported from Gir West, Gir East, Liliya, and Savarkundla regions over the past month had already put the department on alert. The sudden death of two lions in a single day in the New Port round area near the Jashadhar range further intensified concerns.

Wildlife veterinarians are now focusing on early detection and treatment while tracking signs of weakness or infection among other lions and cubs. Forest teams are also inspecting surrounding habitats to identify possible tick infestations and prevent further transmission.