The Asiatic lion news archive - 2005

Stories relating to the Asiatic lion and updates on the captive breeding programme from 2005.

DATELINE: October 4, 2005
Seven Asiatic lions die in Gir sanctuary
NDTV Correspondent

Seven lions have mysteriously died from poisoning in the Gir sanctuary.

The death of seven Asiatic lions in just one month has shaken the forest department and now extensive investigations are being carried out.

Villagers in the Sasan Gir area are angry because nails were pulled out from the lions' bodies after their death and they blame this on the inefficiency of the forest department.

"The fact that nails were taken out from the lions' bodies shows the absolute failure of the forest department to protect them. They should catch those responsible and punish them soon," says Vinubhai Solanki, Deputy Sarpanch, Sasan Village.

The forest department is in shock and is looking into the reasons for the deaths of the lions.

As many lions died of poisoning, they are checking the water sources to see if they might be poisoned. And even though they have intensified patrolling, they reject any possibility of poaching.

"Those involved are all locals. No outside gang is involved, not even gangs of Madhya Pradesh who were active in some regions in the past. We are keeping a close watch," says Pradeep Khanna, Additional Chief Conservator of Forests.

The forest department now needs to gear up to deal with this new threat.