‘83 Asiatic lions died in two years’

In the past two years sinc e December 2013, 83 Asiatic Lions have died in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (GWS) in Junagdh and Gir Somnath districts. As per the last census done in GWS, the only habitat of Asiatic Lions, in 2010, the total number of lions were put at 411. The information was given by state forest minister in a written reply during question hour on last day of budget session on Wednesday. The question was asked by Manavadar Congress MLA Jawahar Chavda. However, he did not ask about the birth rate or number of lions born in the same period. Among 83 deaths, only one was accidental and reported in 2013.