The Asiatic lion news archive - 2007

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

DATELINE: September 22 2007
Four lion cubs found dead

Carcasses of four lion cubs were found on Friday in the Gir sanctuary, the only abode for 350-odd Asiatic lions in Gujarat, but the death does not appear to be out of poaching.

"Four dead cubs were found in Hadala range of the sanctuary in Amreli district," Bharat Pathak, the Conservator of Forests at Gir, told media persons.

"Two of the cubs were about four months old, while the other were around eight months old," he said.

"Prima facie it does not appear to be a case of poaching," Pathak maintained.

"Most of the body parts of the animals were found to be intact," he said, adding the cubs could have died a couple of days ago as the carcasses were in a decomposed state.

The Forest Department has been on its toes since March after eight lions were found killed by poachers inside Gir.

Several members of an inter-state gang of poachers were arrested in connection with the case.

Source: Sahara Samay
http://www.saharasamay.com/samayhtml/articles.aspx?newsid=85311