Lions in Gujarat have been dying in large numbers from unnatural causes: illness, infighting, accidents and habitat pressures. Some of these deaths have sparked calls for creating a secondary habitat for Asiatic lions such as in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno sanctuary to reduce risk to the population in Gir. Gujarat, however, has firmly opposed such translocation.
Gujarat maintains that the lion population is growing and spreading naturally within the state. It believes there is no need for relocation to a second habitat.
Now, according to reports, 307 Asiatic lions died in Gujarat between August 1, 2023, and July 31, 2025. These startling figures have been presented by the state government in the Assembly.
Of these, 51 deaths, or 16.6%, were classified as natural, while the remaining 256 (83.4%) were due to unnatural causes.
Forest and environment minister Mulubhai Bera reportedly informed the House that Rs 37.35 crore had been spent over the past two years on efforts to curb unnatural lion deaths. These measures included the covering of open wells, upgrading veterinary infrastructure, and enhancing rescue operations.
Data also claims that despite the disconcerting numbers, Gujarat’s lion population has continued to rise. The 16th lion census, held on May 13, 2025, recorded 891 lions, an increase from 674 in 2020. Lions are now found across seven districts, with the largest numbers in Amreli (339), Gir-Somnath (222), and Junagadh (191).
Bera reportedly presented these figures in response to a question raised by Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar.
Additionally, it has come to light that in 2023–24, 141 lions died, and the number rose to 166 in 2024–25. Illness was the main cause of death in both years, killing 60 lions in the first and 91 in the second. That is a total of 151 deaths, making up nearly half (49.2%) of all fatalities. Infighting was the next biggest cause, with 38 lions dying in 2023–24 and 36 in 2024–25, adding up to 74 deaths, or 24.1% of the total.
Natural deaths attributed to old age and weakness were recorded at 24 in the first year and 27 in the second. At least one lion was killed in a road accident each year. Railway tracks were fatal to five lions in 2023–24, though no such deaths were reported in 2024–25.
Electrocution claimed one lion in 2023–24 and two more in the following year. Open wells led to seven deaths in the first year and 13 in the second. Drowning incidents resulted in three deaths in 2023–24 and four in 2024–25.
In 2021–22 and 2022–23, most lion deaths in Gujarat were natural: 228 out of 286, according to reports. But in the last two years, that trend has reversed, with a sharp rise in unnatural deaths. This shift has raised alarm among experts.
Experts have linked the increase in deaths from illness and infighting to growing stress on the lions’ habitat. The expert urged urgent action, including improved health checks, quicker coverage of open wells, safer road and rail crossings, better tracking of lion movements, and stronger veterinary support to prevent future disease outbreaks like the 2018 canine distemper episode that killed over two dozen lions in a month.
Also Read: Gir lion Attacks Boy After Being Disturbed During Mating https://www.vibesofindia.com/gir-lion-attacks-boy-after-being-disturbed-during-mating/
