Guj: Lioness drowns in open well in Gir forest

A lioness drowned in an open well in in Gujarat's Gir-Somnath district, 400 kilometres from here, Forest department officials said Tuesday.

The incident took place in Pandva village, around 40 kilometres away from the outer limits of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, in Veraval taluka and the carcass of the lioness was retrieved Tuesday and sent for post mortem, said Deputy Conservator of Forest Junagadh Division Sunil Berwal.

Berwal said the bloated condition of the carcass suggests it may have fallen into the well a day prior.

He ruled out foul play and said it was possible that the lioness fell into the open well while chasing prey.

"Since the lioness tried to stay afloat, which was evident from her brushed nails, we can say that it was not killed and then thrown into the well. It appears to be an accident, not foul play," said Berwal.