GANDHINAGAR: The deaths of 261 lions, including 123 cubs, over the last two years has raised many eyebrows.

Experts feel that either the population has touched the 1,000-mark or there is some outbreak of disease in Saurashtra.

The Gujarat government, in reply to the question of Khambaliya MLA Vikram Madam, has said that of the 261 lion deaths in two years, 17 were unnatural.

The government also stated that in the state, the number of leopard deaths was 340, including that of 90 cubs, in two years since January 1, 2018. The death of 340 leopards also included 95 deaths reported due to unnatural causes, including accidents.

In 2018, there were 113 deaths which also included 29 deaths that were reported following the outbreak of CDV virus. However, the number suddenly increased to 148 in 2019. The officials said that there is a possibility that the CDV affect continued in the early 2019 also as a result the deaths increased. The official pointed out that in the year 2019, there was an increase of 30% in the death in lions as compared to 2018.

Experts feel that the census is due this year and once the count is revealed, then only one can estimate if the deaths were high or within the limits. Wildlife Institute of India expert on big cats YV Jhala said that “the number of deaths depends on the numbers in the population. For which there are no reliable scientific estimates. Currently neither leopard mor lion estimation is done with reliable scientific method so cannot comment on what this mortality means in terms of population viability.”

However, AJT Johnsingh said, “The lions in Gir are not the original lions. Outside and within the sanctuary area, the lions are fed dead and weak animals, as a result, their hunting is going down and they are getting vulnerable to the disease. The outbreak of CDV in 2018 was a result of such feeding by the department. What we now need is a healthy population in an area of nearly 1000 sq km which is free of Maldharis and cattle. If the population in these areas falls to below 100, Gujarat should not worry but infact they should try and conserve those who survive in these 1000 sq km area. Artificially feeding them is making the lions lose their hunting still. The government should also think of translocating some of the lions to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh for a separate isolated population.”

Ganpat Vasava later said that the forest department has been active in the entire lion landscape area and this has helped the department in controlling the accidental deaths, which have reduced to 10 in 2018 and just seven in 2019. He said the department has even taken several measures to conserve the lions. Radio collaring the big cats among several other measures are the example.

An expert, refusing to be quoted, said that “we are going by the number 523 which was counted in 2015. The population has already crossed the 1000-mark. But now it remains to be seen what is the number which is declared in 2020.”

He said that going by the 1,000-mark, the death of 150 lions is nothing unusual as 15% death is acceptable in the wild.

