Asiatic lions in the Gir forest region.
Recently, the Gujarat Forest Department has announced an increase in the population of Asiatic lions in the Gir forest region.
Total 674 lions were recorded compared to the 523 in the Lion Census of 2015.
The count was estimated from a population observation exercise called Poonam Avlokan in place of the 15th Lion Census.
Numerical Analysis:
The lion population has grown by almost 29% from the last count in 2015.
The lion population in the state of Gujarat has doubled since 2001.
Thus, the geographical distribution area for Gir forests’s lions has been increased by 36%.
The recent deaths of lions
The deaths of lions in 2015 was followed by deaths of more than two dozen lions in an outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and babesiosis in 2018.
Babesia is a tiny parasite that infects red blood cells and is usually transmitted by a tick bite. Infection with Babesia is called babesiosis.
Additionally, the babesiosis outbreak was also reported in Gir in 2020, and around two dozen lions were reported to be killed.
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