Gujarat: Three lions shifted to Sakkarbaug Zoo after fatal attack on boy in Girnar (Lead)
Junagadh, July 11
Three lions believed to have been involved in the fatal attack on an 11-year-old boy at Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary have been captured and shifted to Sakkarbaug Zoo for scientific examination, the Gujarat Forest Department said on Saturday, as investigators continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The victim, Mayur Chauhan, from Kheda district, was killed after being attacked near the 50th step on the newly constructed Girnar staircase route earlier in the day.
Following the incident, the Forest Department launched a large-scale operation involving forest officials, veterinarians and wildlife trackers.
Providing an update on the rescue operation, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Akshay Joshi said the group of lions involved had been successfully captured.
"Today, on the new Girnar staircase in the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, an 11-year-old boy, Mayur Chauhan, tragically lost his life in a lion attack near the 50th step. Immediately after the incident, teams from the Forest Department, the veterinary unit, and the tracker team from Sasan reached the spot. The group of lions involved, two males and one female, has been successfully rescued and shifted to Sakkarbaug Zoo, where they will undergo scientific examination and further analysis. The investigation is still underway," Joshi said.
Earlier, sources had said that one lion was initially captured during the rescue operation. During a veterinary examination, the animal vomited, and human body parts were found, indicating its involvement in the attack.
Subsequent operations led to the capture of the remaining lions believed to have been part of the group.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have closed the new Girnar staircase route to pilgrims until further notice to prevent any further incidents while the investigation and wildlife assessment continue.
Officials said the captured lions would undergo detailed scientific and veterinary examinations at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh to determine their involvement in the attack and assess their behaviour before any further decision is taken.
Girnar Hill, one of Gujarat's most important pilgrimage sites, attracts thousands of devotees year-round and is located within the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Asiatic lion landscape in the Junagadh region.
Gujarat is the world's only natural habitat of the endangered Asiatic lion, whose population has steadily increased over the past decade, leading to a wider distribution beyond traditional forest areas.
While interactions between humans and lions have become more frequent as the population expands, fatal attacks remain relatively uncommon, and the Forest Department routinely deploys tracker teams and rescue personnel to respond to such incidents.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from Gujarat, I'm proud of our conservation success with Asiatic lions, but this is a tragic reminder that expansion comes with costs. The forest department acted swiftly, but we need long-term solutions. Closing the route temporarily is good, but they must also educate pilgrims about wildlife safety. May his family find strength. 🕯️
Sad incident, but let's be logical. Lions don't attack without reason—this boy was likely alone or in a vulnerable spot. Also, why are children allowed near wildlife zones without proper supervision? The authorities must conduct a thorough investigation and share findings transparently. People deserve to know what went wrong.
Respectful criticism: While I appreciate the quick response, the decision to shift these lions to a zoo for 'scientific examination' raises questions. They're wild animals who acted naturally. Shouldn't we focus on redesigning the pilgrimage route to minimize human-animal conflict? Caging them feels like a temporary fix for a systemic problem.
Gujarat's lion conservation is a global success story, but this incident shows the delicate balance between development and wildlife preservation. The forest department did well to capture the lions quickly, but I hope they also investigate if the new staircase construction disturbed lion movement patterns. Prayers for the boy's family. 🙏
What a tragedy! But let's not forget that Girnar has always been a lion territory. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit during festivals, and incidents like this were bound to happen with growing lion numbers. Either we build proper barriers and have armed guards on watch, or we accept that these beautiful creatures might occasionally
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.