Disease, accidents, neglect: Gir’s lions face unnatural deaths in Gujarat

A worrying statistic has emerged about the condition of the Asiatic lions of Gir. Between August 1, 2023, and August 2025, a total of 307 lions died, of which only 51 were natural deaths. The official record shows that 256 were unnatural deaths. The state forest minister was responding to a question by  Botad MLA.

Despite crores of rupees being spent on lion conservation and protection, the high number of unnatural deaths raises concern. Even with the establishment of hospitals at various places, modern ambulances, vaccinations, and other measures, the majority of the deaths were due to disease.

The ruling government continues to boast about the increasing lion population, but the animals are not getting adequate forest space. Diseases among lions are rising steadily. 

Local authorities repeatedly deny the presence of any serious illnesses, but official data shows disease is the leading cause of unnatural lion deaths. As per the figures, 60 lions died of disease last year, and 81 have already died of disease this year.

The next highest cause of death was internal fighting among lions. In addition, open wells remained death traps for the animals in the last two years. Twenty lions died after falling into wells, while another 9 drowned in water bodies.

The government claims to have spent ₹37.35 crore over the past two years to prevent unnatural deaths. The forest department says it has built hospitals at multiple locations for immediate treatment, installed speed breakers on public roads inside the sanctuary, increased night patrolling by police, forest staff, and PGVCL, covered open wells, introduced modern ambulances, radio-collaring, vaccination, and habitat improvement programs.

Despite all these measures, the government and forest department have failed to stop unnatural lion deaths, which continue to rise day by day.