Gujarat : Lion Mauls Maldhari in Bhavnagar, Viral Video Raises Alarm Over Human-Wildlife Conflict

BHAVNAGAR : A terrifying lion attack in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district has once again exposed the growing dangers of human-wildlife conflict, with a Maldhari suffering serious injuries after being mauled outside his home in Garajiya village of Palitana taluka on Sunday morning. A chilling video of the attack, now widely shared on social media, has intensified public concern over the increasing movement of Asiatic lions into human settlements and renewed questions over wildlife management in the region.

The victim, Kalubhai Boghabhai Parmar, was attacked around 10:30 am while he was going to feed his cattle. According to eyewitnesses, the lion suddenly pounced on him, knocked him to the ground and clamped its jaws around his hand. Despite desperate efforts by villagers to drive the animal away by shouting and throwing stones, the lion continued to hold onto the injured man for several minutes.

“The lion attacked me from behind and grabbed my hand in its jaw. It would not let go. This is the first time something like this has happened to me,” Kalubhai said from his hospital bed. He was initially rushed to the Palitana Government Hospital before being referred to Sir T Hospital in Bhavnagar for advanced treatment.

The viral video captures the horrifying moments as Kalubhai struggles beneath the lion while villagers scream for help. The footage also shows the lion biting his leg as residents attempt to rescue him without provoking the wild animal further.

Another resident, Hemubhai Gadhvi, claimed he narrowly escaped becoming the lion’s first victim. “The lion entered our area after my buffalo fell. It then ran straight towards Kalubhai’s house and attacked him. Nearly 200 to 300 villagers gathered, but the lion continued confronting everyone,” he said.

Villagers have also alleged a delayed response from the forest department. Savjibhai, husband of Garajiya’s sarpanch, claimed officials reached the spot nearly one-and-a-half hours after being informed. “Lions have been entering the village for the past five years. We have repeatedly requested action, but nothing substantial has been done,” he alleged.

Echoing the concerns, Taluka Panchayat member Chetan Dabhi urged authorities to relocate lions that frequently stray into residential areas. “People are living in fear. We request the forest department to safely shift these lions back into the forest and strengthen security in the village,” he said.

Following the incident, the Forest Department launched an investigation and began efforts to trace the lion involved in the attack. Officials are assessing the circumstances that led the animal into the village and reviewing measures to prevent similar incidents.

The attack has left Garajiya village shaken. Residents say fear has become so widespread that nearly half the village’s children reportedly stayed away from school on Monday, reflecting the growing anxiety among families living on the edge of Gujarat’s lion habitat.