📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Rohit Sharma
Science
62 Asiatic Lions and Cubs Die from Disease in Gujarat Over Past Year
✍️ India Today
🗓 11 Sep 2026, 05:18 PM
👁 46
A total of 62 Asiatic lions, including cubs, have died from disease in Gujarat over the last twelve months, officials say.
Gujarat's wildlife authorities have reported that 62 Asiatic lions and their cubs succumbed to disease during the past year. The deaths were recorded across the state's protected areas, primarily in the Gir forest region, which hosts the only viable wild population of the endangered species.
Veterinary teams confirmed that the fatalities were linked to infectious ailments, though the specific pathogen has not been disclosed. The loss represents a significant proportion of the already limited lion population, raising concerns among conservationists about the species' long‑term viability.
State officials said they are intensifying health monitoring, conducting post‑mortem examinations, and exploring vaccination or treatment options to curb further spread. The department also plans to strengthen surveillance and habitat management to safeguard the remaining lions.
The decline underscores the fragile status of the Asiatic lion, which is listed as endangered and depends heavily on the Gir ecosystem for survival. Conservation groups have urged swift action to address the health crisis and prevent additional losses.
Efforts are underway to collaborate with national and international wildlife health experts, aiming to develop a comprehensive response that can protect the remaining lions and support the species' recovery.
Veterinary teams confirmed that the fatalities were linked to infectious ailments, though the specific pathogen has not been disclosed. The loss represents a significant proportion of the already limited lion population, raising concerns among conservationists about the species' long‑term viability.
State officials said they are intensifying health monitoring, conducting post‑mortem examinations, and exploring vaccination or treatment options to curb further spread. The department also plans to strengthen surveillance and habitat management to safeguard the remaining lions.
The decline underscores the fragile status of the Asiatic lion, which is listed as endangered and depends heavily on the Gir ecosystem for survival. Conservation groups have urged swift action to address the health crisis and prevent additional losses.
Efforts are underway to collaborate with national and international wildlife health experts, aiming to develop a comprehensive response that can protect the remaining lions and support the species' recovery.