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Forest tracker killed after misfired tranquilliser dart hits him during lioness rescue op in Gujarat’s Junagadh

Ram Ratan Nala, Conservator of Forests (Junagadh Range), said the lioness had killed a minor boy in the Nani Monpari village in Visavadar.

2 min readAhmedabadJan 5, 2026 06:04 PM IST

The incident reportedly happened near Nani Monpari village in Visavadar, where the lioness had killed a minor boy. (File Photo)

A forest tracker was killed when a tranquillising dart meant for a lioness hit him on his hand during a rescue operation in a village in Gujarat’s Junagadh Sunday evening.

According to Forest Department officials, the tracker, identified as Ashraf Ali Chauhan, who was in his late twenties, was taken to a hospital in Visavadar, and then to Junagadh Civil Hospital, where he died Monday morning.

Chauhan was working as a tracker under the state government’s outsourcing policy.

Ram Ratan Nala, Conservator of Forests (Junagadh Range), said the incident happened near Nani Monpari village in Visavadar, where the lioness had killed a minor boy.

“A team of forest officials had reached there to rescue the lioness, and they also called a team of wildlife veterinary doctors. The rescue team had trackers, including Chauhan. The doctors used the dart to tranquillise the lioness, who was sitting in a field. However, unfortunately, the dart missed the lioness and hit Chauhan on his left hand. Chauhan was standing in the opposite direction.”

“Chauhan was immediately taken to the Visavadar hospital. Then, we brought him to Junagadh Civil Hospital. Unfortunately, the doctors could not save him. They tried the entire night,” Nala added.

Chauhan is survived by his wife, a daughter, and parents.

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Nala said all trackers have been insured for Rs 10 lakh, and that formalities were underway to release the money to his family at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the lioness was rescued by forest officials.

Parimal A Dabhi

Parimal A Dabhi works with The Indian Express as Chief of Bureau, focusing on the state of Gujarat. Leveraging his seniority and access, Dabhi is recognized for his reporting on the complex interplay of law, politics, social justice, and governance within the region. Expertise & Authority Core Authority (Social Justice and Law): Dabhi is a key source for in-depth coverage of caste-based violence, discrimination, and the state's response to social movements, particularly those involving Patidar, Dalit and OBC communities. His reporting focuses on the societal and legal fallout of these issues: Caste and Discrimination: He has reported extensively on social boycotts and instances of violence against Dalits (such as the attack on a Dalit wedding party in Patan), the community's demands (like refusing to pick carcasses), and the political responses from leaders like Jignesh Mevani. Judicial and Legal Affairs: He tracks significant, high-stakes legal cases and judgments that set precedents in Gujarat, including the convictions under the stringent Gujarat Animal Preservation Act (cow slaughter), 2002 Gujarat riots and developments in cases involving former police officers facing charges of wrongful confinement and fake encounters. Political and Administrative Oversight: Dabhi provides essential coverage of the inner workings of the state government and the opposition, ensuring a high degree of Trustworthiness in political analysis: State Assembly Proceedings: He frequently reports directly from the Gujarat Assembly, covering Question Hour, discussion on various Bills, debates on budgetary demands for departments like Social Justice, and ministerial statements on issues like illegal mining, job quotas for locals, and satellite-based farm loss surveys. Electoral Politics: His work details key political developments, including election analysis (voter turnout records), party organizational changes (like the end of C R Patil’s tenure as BJP chief), and campaign dynamics. ... Read More

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