Rajkot: Forest department caught five lions, which were seen roaming in the areas of the district Kovaya near pipavav Port was released in the last month Gir Sanctuary.
While initially the department said that the feral cats were captured for health check-up, sources said the main objective was to ‘de-port’ them from the area. The captured pride lived near the Pipavav port which falls in the Gir East Division of the Forest Department, but was abandoned in the Gir West Division.
In a sudden drive, forest officials suddenly pounced upon the pride of five female cats and three sub-adults on 19 August. lion worker Alleging that feral cats were captured without protocol, the department had always maintained that the cats were captured for routine medical check-ups.
According to sources, routine medical check-up of lions is done in the field itself and there is no need to capture the animals. The department released a herd of eight lions in the sanctuary area after five to six days of occupancy following heavy uproar by the activists. However, the authorities have continued their status quo on the reason for the capture, while they remain silent on whether the animals were released from captivity.
There has been no official confirmation, but according to sources, the lions were captured and taken to Jasdhar Animal Care Center and released in different territories. Gandhinagar And the local authorities had nothing to say about it. The group moved to new areas in search of new habitat as the sanctuary area was almost overcrowded with lions.
The sources also claimed that the movement of lions in the port area was also posing a risk of human-animal conflict and the video going viral on social media of lions roaming freely in the port area has created a ruckus for senior forest officials. created a very embarrassing situation.
Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife Circle) DT Vasavada told TOI, “There was a threat to the life of the lions in the port area due to the movement of loaded trucks and containers in that area. Recently there were incidents in which lions were buried under the train. It was a decision taken to protect the lives of the animals.”
“They (forest department) just focused on increasing the number of lions. now when lion population has grown, they have no clue what to do with them,” alleged lion activist Mayank Bhatt. He said this reflects a lack of clear long-term vision.
Activists called for a new lion conservation management plan that focused on the long-term conservation of the grand animal.
About 150 lions roam in Amreli district alone.
While initially the department said that the feral cats were captured for health check-up, sources said the main objective was to ‘de-port’ them from the area. The captured pride lived near the Pipavav port which falls in the Gir East Division of the Forest Department, but was abandoned in the Gir West Division.
In a sudden drive, forest officials suddenly pounced upon the pride of five female cats and three sub-adults on 19 August. lion worker Alleging that feral cats were captured without protocol, the department had always maintained that the cats were captured for routine medical check-ups.
According to sources, routine medical check-up of lions is done in the field itself and there is no need to capture the animals. The department released a herd of eight lions in the sanctuary area after five to six days of occupancy following heavy uproar by the activists. However, the authorities have continued their status quo on the reason for the capture, while they remain silent on whether the animals were released from captivity.
There has been no official confirmation, but according to sources, the lions were captured and taken to Jasdhar Animal Care Center and released in different territories. Gandhinagar And the local authorities had nothing to say about it. The group moved to new areas in search of new habitat as the sanctuary area was almost overcrowded with lions.
The sources also claimed that the movement of lions in the port area was also posing a risk of human-animal conflict and the video going viral on social media of lions roaming freely in the port area has created a ruckus for senior forest officials. created a very embarrassing situation.
Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife Circle) DT Vasavada told TOI, “There was a threat to the life of the lions in the port area due to the movement of loaded trucks and containers in that area. Recently there were incidents in which lions were buried under the train. It was a decision taken to protect the lives of the animals.”
“They (forest department) just focused on increasing the number of lions. now when lion population has grown, they have no clue what to do with them,” alleged lion activist Mayank Bhatt. He said this reflects a lack of clear long-term vision.
Activists called for a new lion conservation management plan that focused on the long-term conservation of the grand animal.
About 150 lions roam in Amreli district alone.
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