Gujarat : Gir Lion Deaths Trigger Massive Forest Department Response as PCCF Camps in Field

Amreli | Gujarat — The sudden deaths of more than eight lions and lion cubs in the Gir landscape have pushed Gujarat’s forest department into emergency mode, with top officials launching an unprecedented field-level surveillance operation to prevent further losses among the endangered Asiatic lion population.

In a rare move reflecting the gravity of the situation, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Bhavani Pati has been stationed in Gir for the past three days, personally overseeing rescue, monitoring and disease-control efforts. The senior officer has been conducting extensive inspections across Gir East and Gir West divisions, including late-night and early-morning visits to vulnerable lion habitats stretching from Dhari to the Pipavav coast.

“The department is maintaining continuous surveillance over lion movements, feeding patterns, behaviour and overall health. Any indication of infection is being addressed immediately through sampling and veterinary intervention,” a senior forest official said.

The heightened alert follows concerns that deadly diseases such as Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and Babesia may have contributed to the recent deaths reported from the forests spanning Amreli and Gir Somnath districts. While the exact cause remains under investigation, authorities have intensified preventive measures to safeguard the remaining population.

PCCF Bhavani Pati personally inspected lion groups in the Pipavav and Bherai regions of Rajula taluka during overnight visits, closely observing lionesses and cubs. He also reviewed conditions in the Dalkhaniya and Hadala ranges and assessed medical preparedness at the Amberdi Safari Park hospital in Dhari.

For the first time, the state’s top forest officer conducted on-ground inspections across the Gir-Pipavav belt during nighttime hours, underscoring the seriousness of the emerging wildlife health crisis.

“All range teams, trackers and animal care units have been placed on high alert. Every lion sighting and health indicator is being documented and analysed,” another official said.

The department has isolated 22 lions at the Jasadhar Animal Care Center as a precautionary measure. Biological samples collected from the animals have been sent to a laboratory in Gandhinagar, with test results expected within the next 24 hours. These findings are likely to play a critical role in determining the next phase of disease-control and conservation efforts.

Senior officials, including Chief Forest Conservator Ram Ratan Nala, are also camping in the region and coordinating response measures. Daily updates on lion health and field observations are being shared with senior forest authorities and Gujarat Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia.

The Gir landscape, home to the world’s last wild population of Asiatic lions, remains under intense scrutiny as authorities race against time to contain any potential outbreak. Wildlife experts and conservationists are closely watching developments, hoping the swift intervention will prevent further casualties and protect one of Gujarat’s most iconic species.