Wells, rail tracks turn death traps for Gir lions

Wells, rail tracks turn death traps for Gir lions

Context:

• 32 lions died due to “unnatural causes” in two years in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat.

Unnatural cases:

• In 2016, 12 lions died, while in 2017, 20 lions, including cubs, died due to unnatural cases.
•  Total of 184 lions died in the State in two years: 104 in 2016 and 80 in 2017.

Safety measures:

• Parapet walls need to be built around walls as soon as possible.
• There are 27 open wells in Amreli district near the sanctuary.
• Construction of fences along the railway tracks passing through Amreli district.
• Building speed breakers on roads passing through the sanctuary area.
• As per the 2015 census , there were 523 lions in and around the Gir sanctuary.

Gir Forest National Park:

• Gir Forest National Park is a wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat.
• It was established to protect Asiatic lions, who frequent the fenced-off Devalia Safari Park, along with leopards and antelopes.