Seven lions died in Gujarat’s Gir National Park. The administration is concerned about the death of one lion after another due to virus infection. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has already held a meeting to review the situation. Rajya Sabha MP and animal lover Parimal Nathwani also expressed concern.
MP Parimal Nathwani said lions died in Gir area due to canine distemper virus (CDV) and Babesia infection. He has written to Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Gujarat Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Madhabadia requesting them to take urgent action. He demanded immediate treatment of the affected lions, prevention of death and infection control measures.
Nathwani wrote in the letter that the Gir National Park Authority and the Forest Department are working day and night to prevent the spread of lions and save them.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also held a high-level meeting to consider the gravity of the situation. The meeting was informed that all lions within 10 km radius from Gir Gadhada and Babria areas are being strictly monitored. No new symptoms of illness have been found yet. The forest department is closely monitoring various areas in Amreli and Bhavnagar districts and collecting reports daily.
Health checks, de-ticking and other hygiene measures have been taken for more than 350 lions in the Gir region to protect them from seasonal diseases that appear in early summer. Local administration doctor Dr. Jaipal Singh said that expert doctors of Junagadh Veterinary College are also involved in this work.
He said that the carcass of the dead lion showed signs of contagious virus. However, it is still not possible to say with certainty whether CDV occurs. Samples have been collected and it will take about a week to get the report. 17 lions have been quarantined as a precautionary measure. Eight of the lions tested positive for the infectious virus. A special team of 12 veterinarians is working day and night to treat the affected lions.
According to Gir Forest Administration sources, the lions are also being investigated for any previous health problems. A large number of forest personnel have been deployed to deal with the situation. About 250 forest department personnel are currently involved in the operation.
Besides, more than 20 forest officials and workers from Jamnagar, Surat, Rajkot, Kutch and Junagadh have been brought to Gir. These include RFOs, Forest Guards and Foresters. Many of them have worked in the Gir forest before and have been brought back in charge as they are experienced with the situation.