Death toll of Asiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir Forest reaches 23 in one month

A 26-member strong pride of the endangered Asiatic lions in Gujarat has almost been wiped out with 23 lions dying in the last 20 days and the three surviving members of the pride battling for life. The lions succumbed to the deadly infection of canine distemper virus (CDV) and tick-borne babesiosis. The Gir sanctuary in Gujarat is the last habitat of the Asiatic lion of which 500-600 survive. We take a look at the status of the species and how deadly infections like canine distemper and babesiosis can wipe out this entire sub-species forever.