Lion cub found dead near Gir sanctuary

Carcass of a lion cub was found on the outskirts of a village in Gir-Somnath district in Gujarat Wednesday, the state forest department said.

With this death, the death toll of lions in and around Gir forest in the last two months rose to 27.

Primary investigation revealed that the male cub, about 4 to 5 months old, died due to "respiration and cardiac arrest due to severe anaemia and dehydration", the department said in a statement.

The carcass was found near a village in Gir Gadhada taluka of Gir Somnath district, around 350 km from here.

The village is half a kilometre away from the outer periphery of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

Officials said the cub seemed to have suffered anaemia due to heavy "tick infestation".

Earlier this week, carcasses of three lion cubs in the age group of 4 to 5 months were found on the outskirts of a village in Amreli district near the Gir sanctuary.

Forest officials had claimed that these cubs were killed by male lions during fights between prides to establish territorial dominance.

However, in the case of other deaths, the government admitted that along with infighting, Canine Distemper Virus and Protozoa infection were also responsible for some deaths.