The Asiatic lion news archive - 2007

Stories relating to the Asiatic lion and updates on the captive breeding programme from 2007.

DATELINE: March 31, 2007
State Reserve Police sent to guard Gir lions

With a spurt in incidents of poaching in the Gir sanctuary, the Gujarat government has decided to send two companies of the State Reserve Police (SRP) to guard the endangered Asiatic lions.

The step comes after three lions were found killed in Babaria range of the sanctuary here yesterday which has taken the toll of lions killed by poachers to six this month.

"We are sending two companies of SRP to Babaria range in Gir-west to assist the forest department and prevent the reoccurrence of poaching incidents," State Home Minsiter Amit Shah told media persons at the Circuit House here.

Both Shah and Forest Minister Mangu Patel arrived here to visit Babaria range of the sanctuary where remains of three lions killed by poachers were discovered yesterday.

"This is a serious incident and it will be investigated by the cid-crime which is also looking into the march four incident (where two lioness and a cub were found killed by poachers)," he added.

Three Asiatic lions were found slaughtered yesterday and some of their body parts stolen from inside the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

Three other lions were killed and their body parts stolen earlier this month, prompting a cid and forensic inquiry by the government.

As per the Forest Department census of 2005, there are only 359 of the Asiatic lions in the Gir sanctuary.

Source: Zee News