Five Asiatic lions, including two cubs, have died in Gujarat’s Gir landscape over the past ten days, according to forest department officials, who said there is no indication of a disease outbreak in the region. The deaths were reported from the Gir East and Gir West divisions of Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary.
Gujarat forest minister Arjun Modhwadia said two cubs are suspected to have died from an infection linked to Babesia, while the other lions died due to territorial fights or natural causes. He clarified that the government has not observed any major health concern and described the incidents as routine mortality within a free-ranging lion population.
Officials confirmed that samples from the carcasses have been collected and sent for laboratory testing. A senior forest department official stated that one lion died from injuries sustained during fighting, while two others died of natural causes.
Babesia is a tick-transmitted disease that attacks red blood cells, leading to symptoms such as weakness, breathing problems, and nasal discharge. Following the recent deaths, forest teams have intensified surveillance across affected areas. Lion groups are being closely monitored for symptoms, and field staff have increased patrolling and health checks.
The Asiatic lion is found only in Gujarat in the wild. According to the 2025 lion census, the population has increased to 891 lions from 674 recorded in 2020. The species has also expanded beyond protected forest areas into districts including Amreli, Gir Somnath and Bhavnagar.
Forest officials noted that lion deaths occur annually due to factors such as old age, disease and territorial conflict, with cubs generally being more vulnerable to infections and environmental stress. They said the current cases do not suggest any unusual mortality pattern.
In 2018, the Gir National Park landscape witnessed a serious outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus along with secondary Babesia infection, resulting in the deaths of 24 Asiatic lions within a month. Authorities had then implemented isolation and treatment measures to control the spread. Officials said no such clustering or outbreak pattern has been seen in the current situation.
The forest department continues to conduct post-mortem examinations for all lion deaths and maintains regular disease surveillance. Tissue samples are being sent to laboratories for testing, while veterinary teams remain on alert in Gir and nearby areas.
Monitoring operations in Gir East and Gir West will continue with increased patrolling and sample collection in the coming days, officials added.
Last year, the Central government approved Project Lion with an estimated budget of ₹2,900 crore to support the long-term conservation of Asiatic lions through habitat expansion, scientific management and disease control measures.
As part of the project, a National Referral Centre for Wildlife Health is being developed in Gujarat to strengthen diagnostics, treatment and disease surveillance. The plan also includes developing Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a second habitat for lions outside the Gir landscape to reduce the risk from future epidemics.