Lioness, leopard die in Sakar Baug Zoo

Junagadh, Gujarat, Sep 27 (UNI) A lioness and a leopard died at the Sakar Baug Zoo here today of sickness and old age.

According to the Zoo Superintendent R D Katara, the seven-year-old lioness 'Diku', which was born in the zoo itself on April 17, 2001, and 17-year-old leopard, which was found near Jamkandarna village, both died due to sickness and old age.

Meanwhile, Gir Sanctuary Forest Officials have found a four-month-old sick Lion cub, which probably got separated from its mother from the Gir Forest this morning. Later the cub was brought to the Zoo Hospital where its condition was stated to be serious by Veterinary Surgeon Dr C N Bhuva.

It may be noted that despite the Rs 40-crore special scheme announced by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the protection of Asiatic lions, five lion cubs have died during the last one week in the Gir Sanctuary.

Of these five lion cubs, two decomposed bodies were found by the forest department team near Hadana village in the east range of Gir Sanctuary in Amreli district few days ago. While, two carcasses of lion cubs were found early this week from the same place.

The post-mortem reports indicated that the deaths were caused due to some illness. The post-mortem reports of other two cubs are awaited. These four cubs were between the age of four and seven months.

While, one lion cub had died at the Sakar Baug Zoo hospital here on September 22.

Mr Modi had announced the Rs 40-crore Lion Protection Scheme following a sharp rise in poaching of lions by a Madhya Pradesh gang.

These poachers sell nails, skin, bones, and teeth of lions in the international market. Only in the month of March more than 30 lions have been killed this year.

UNI