The Gujarat government on Friday told the state assembly that in the last two years a total of 313 lions have died at the Gir National Park of Junagarh district. Gir is only abode of the Asiatic lions in the world.
Out of the total deaths, 23 were caused due to unnatural forces, like getting hit by vehicles. 159 deaths took place in 2020 and 154 in 2019, which also includes 152 lion cubs.
On being asked of the steps taken by the government to tackle unnatural deaths, the forest minister said patrolling was being carried out day and night. He also added that walls had been built around 43000 wells near Gir Sanctuary to make sure the animals don't fall into them.
He added, conservation efforts led to a 29% increase in the population of the big cats, from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.