Babesia scare returns to Gir as 5 lions die in 10 days

Ahmedabad/Rajkot: A fresh health scare has gripped Gir, the only home of the Asiatic lion, after five lions died over 10 days across the Gir East and Gir West forest divisions. The deaths have triggered alarm in the forest department and revived memories of the 2018 epidemic that wiped out 11 lions in a month.

According to senior forest department officials, the latest casualties were reported from areas near Babariya and Gir Gadhadha in the Gir West division. Two cubs and three adult lions are among the dead, with Babesia infection suspected in at least some of the cases. Gujarat’s 2025 census had recorded 891 Asiatic lions in the state.

The 2018 outbreak, which claimed 11 lions, was traced to a combination of canine distemper virus (CDV) and Babesia, protozoal infection.

The department has begun identifying weak big cats across the landscape, with 10 lions in the Gir and Greater Gir regions placed under surveillance. Beat guards, however, suspect that some of these may simply be showing signs of ageing rather than infection.

Babesia is a tick-borne, highly infectious vector-borne illness that affects animals. The spread of ticks, sources said, is suspected to be linked to the improper disposal and skinning of cattle carcasses, and the growing stray dog population in the region. Rising temperatures are also believed to have boosted tick activity.

As a preventive measure, large-scale deworming and tick-control treatment has already been carried out on around 350 lions in the Tulsishyam, Khambha and Dhari ranges ahead of the season. Forest minister Arjun Modhwadia confirmed the deaths but ruled out the possibility of a disease outbreak in Gir.

“Two lion cubs in Gujarat’s Gir forest region have died due to suspected Babesia, while three other big cats have succumbed to natural causes and infighting in separate incidents,” he said.

He added: “Only two suspected lion deaths have been attributed to this viral infection. The remaining three deaths have occurred either due to infighting or other reasons.”

He said that authorities were identifying suspected lions, collecting samples and providing treatment, while steps were also being taken to remove ticks from animals as part of preventive measures.