GJ-LION-DEATH

Lion found dead in Dalkhaniya range of Gir forest
    Ahmedabad, May 15 (PTI) A lion was found dead in
Dalkhaniya range of Gir forest in Gujarat, an official said on
Wednesday.
    The carcass of the lion was found in a forest patch of
Dalkhaniya range under the Gir-East division, an official
said, adding that reason of death was not known immediately.
    "We have not found any visible injury marks on the
carcass during our primary investigation. It appeared that the
lion died a few days ago. We will conduct its post-mortem to
ascertain the exact cause," said Chief Conservator of Forests
(Wildlife), Junagadh, D T Vasavada.
    Notably, this is the same range of Gir forest where at
least 10 lions had died last year due to a deadly combination
of canine distemper virus and protozoal infection.
    With Wednesday's death, as many as four cubs, three
lions, and two lionesses have been found dead in the Gir
forest since February.
    Gujarat, the last abode of Asiatic lions, is home to
around 600 lions in Gir and surrounding areas as per the
latest estimate by the forest department. PTI PJT PD
NP NP