Three Lion Cubs Die Within 3 Days in Gujarat's Amreli District

In Gujarat’s Amreli district, the recent death of three lion cubs within a span of just three days has raised serious concerns for wildlife authorities. According to officials, two cubs died on July 28 and one more on July 30. This prompted the forest department to immediately take precautionary action, including isolating three lionesses and six cubs for medical evaluation. Blood samples from these lions will be collected and analyzed to determine the cause of the sudden deaths and assess the health of other big cats in the vicinity.

State Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera confirmed the deaths and explained the steps being taken. Veterinary doctors from Junagadh were rushed to the location to assist local forest officials. He said that although the exact cause of death is not yet confirmed, the blood samples from the isolated lionesses and cubs will help in diagnosis once the final report is released.

The concern comes against the backdrop of an earlier incident that occurred just a week before, in which two lion cubs were rescued near Kagvadar village in the Jafrabad taluka of Amreli. The cubs were reportedly abandoned by their mothers. Forest officials took them to a rescue center for medical treatment, but unfortunately, they died two days ago. According to Dhananjay Sadhu, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Shetrunji Wildlife Division), the cause of death was weakness and pneumonia.

The incident led the department to adopt broader preventive measures. Sadhu stated that more lions and cubs in the region are being monitored for signs of illness, and on Wednesday, three lionesses and six cubs were rescued for health checks. Their blood samples will be analyzed at a forest laboratory to ensure there is no outbreak of infectious disease among the lion population.

These steps are reminiscent of the 2018 lion deaths in Gujarat, where 11 lions died in just a month. Investigations at that time revealed that the cause of the deaths was a combination of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and protozoal infections. CDV is known to be a highly contagious viral disease that severely impacts the immune system and other vital organs in animals. In most cases, it proves to be fatal, especially in wild animals like lions which are not vaccinated against the disease.

The forest department’s current actions—prompt medical attention, isolation, and testing—are aimed at preventing a similar outbreak. The health checkups and laboratory testing will help in early detection of potential threats to the lion population. The decision to isolate the lions and send samples for detailed lab analysis highlights the seriousness with which the department is treating the situation.

Gujarat, particularly the Gir and Amreli regions, is home to the last remaining population of Asiatic lions in the wild, and their conservation is of national and global importance. The deaths of these cubs, while tragic, have triggered timely action from authorities to safeguard the remaining population.

Continued monitoring, rapid diagnosis, and preventive care remain critical to avoid another wildlife health crisis and to ensure the survival and well-being of Gujarat’s iconic lions.