8 cubs dead; lions in 10km radius isolated

Ahmedabad: The state forest department is on high alert after the death of eight lion cubs in a week from suspected babesiosis. As a precautionary measure, the department has declared a 10km area in Gir Gadhada and Babariya areas as isolated and stepped up monitoring of lion movement from these areas.

Samples have beens sent to the Junagadh Veterinary College and the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre to test for Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), which also affects wild carnivores besides dogs, a senior forest official said.

Forest and environment minister Arjun Modhwadia has confirmed the death of at least eight cubs in the Gir-Somnath and Amreli districts from suspected babesiosis. “To prevent potential spread of the disease, we have isolated lions living in a 10km radius of the areas where the infection has been reported. Forest officials, along with a team of veterinary doctors from Junagadh, visited the site and isolated the lions,” Modhwadia said.

Samples collected by a team of veterinarians have been sent to the state-run Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre for testing, the minister said. The findings, expected in three to four days, will confirm if the deaths are due to Babesia infection

Babesia, a parasitic disease, spreads through ticks and can cause weakness, coughing and nasal discharge in affected animals. The deaths of the cubs have been reported in revenue areas outside the Gir sanctuary, particularly in Gir Gadhada of Gir-Somnath and Babariya of Amreli districts, he said.

Considering that Babesia is transmitted by ticks, authorities have launched tick-removal operations within the Gir sanctuary and in surrounding areas, alongside other precautionary measures, the minister said. In 2018, 11 lions had died within a month due to a combination of CDV and protozoal infection.

A senior forest officer said the department pressing the panic button indicates that the situation is grim. “The department has a PCCF-wildlife holding the charge of head of forest department. There is a need for full-time HOF so that the PCCF-wildlife can focus on wildlife rather than getting involved in administrative work,” he said on the condition of anonymity.