286 lions, 456 leopards died in Gujarat over two years: Govt

At least 286 lions, including 143 cubs, have died in Gujarat in the past two years, according to state Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera while sharing the information in the Gujarat Assembly on Tuesday, March 4. Bera stated that 58 of these deaths were due to unnatural causes, including road accidents and drowning in open wells. A total of 121 lions died in 2023, while 165 deaths were reported in 2024.

286 lions, 456 leopards died

Alongside lions, Gujarat also lost 456 leopards, including 140 cubs, in the same period. Of these, 225 died in 2023 and 231 in 2024. The minister revealed that 153 leopard deaths were attributed to unnatural causes.

The deaths of Asiatic lions in Gujarat have raised concerns, especially since the state is home to the world's only wild population of this species, primarily found in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary. The most recent Lion Census in June 2020 recorded 674 lions in the state.

To reduce unnatural deaths, the Gujarat government has taken several measures. These include building speed breakers and putting up signboards on roads passing through forests, covering open wells near wildlife habitats, installing fences along railway tracks near Gir, and radio-collaring lions to track their movement.

Additionally, veterinary doctors and ambulance services have been introduced to provide immediate medical care to injured wild animals. Regular forest patrolling has also been strengthened, with officials equipped with vehicles, weapons, and communication devices.

Concerns over increasing mortality

The data on lion and leopard deaths was revealed just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gir for a lion safari on World Wildlife Day. The increasing mortality rate has raised alarms among conservationists. Experts say that while a 20% annual mortality rate among lions is considered normal, exceeding this level could be a cause for concern.

In response, the Gujarat High Court previously ordered speed restrictions for trains passing through lion habitats. The state government has also allocated ₹40 crore in the 2025-26 budget to prevent train accidents involving lions. Plans are underway to set up a command and control center to monitor lion movements and prevent railway track fatalities.

Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than their African counterparts, with males weighing between 160-190 kg and females between 110-120 kg. A distinctive belly fold sets them apart. While their population has grown, the increasing human-wildlife conflict, habitat fragmentation, and risks like falling into open wells pose significant threats.

To address these challenges, the Gujarat government and conservation groups, including WWF-India, have undertaken measures such as well-barricading and habitat monitoring. However, experts warn that genetic inbreeding, as all Asiatic lions descend from a single population, remains a long-term concern.

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

California Fires Live updates: destructive wildfires in history

Hollywood Hills burning video is fake and AI generated

Devastating wildfire in California: wind, dry conditions to blame?

Los Angeles Cracks Under Water Pressure

From tourist paradise to waste wasteland: Sindh River Cry for help

Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id [email protected]. 

Don't forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.