555 Asiatic lions died in India in the last five years, says Government in Lok Sabha | India News

NEW DELHI: In what could be a major concern, Govt informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that a total 555 Asiatic lions died in the country in the last five years.
Though there has been no increase in the mortality rate, the demise of Asiatic lions in such a high number may pose a big challenge before the wildlife conservationists specifically in view of the low population of these big cats.According to the last population estimation, the number of Asiatic lions in Gir forest in Gujarat, the only natural habitat of these big cats, rose from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.
Sharing details of lion deaths recorded during the last five years, junior environment minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey said 113 lions died in 2019, 124 in 2020, 105 in 2021, 110 in 2022 and 103 in 2023.
Responding to a question whether there has been increasing deaths of lions in the country, Choubey in his written answer replied in the negative.

On the reasons for such deaths, the minister said, “As reported by the state, each and every instance of death of a lion is investigated by the forest officials and veterinarians.”
He said a post-mortem report by the veterinary doctor is prepared and if required, viscera and sample is sent to forensic science laboratory for detailed analysis for reaching to a logical conclusion in each and every lion death case. He added that a detailed investigation report showing details of place and time of incident and primary cause of death are also prepared.
On conservation issues, the WWF-India in a note on its website underlined that the lions face the usual threats of poaching and habitat fragmentation. It also highlighted that there were cases of lions dying by falling into the unguarded wells around the Gir protected area in the past. Besides, the Asiatic lions face threat of “genetic inbreeding” arising from a single population in one place.
The WWF-India that conducted a study to assess habitat change over a period of 20 years had supported barricading of 180 wells with local partners and Gujarat forest department, and provided need-based support to strengthen the efforts of Gir protected area towards managing conflict and poaching.