<\/p>\n
Dilip Patel<\/strong><\/p>\n Ahmedabad, June 11, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n A fresh disease scare among the Asiatic lions of Gir has once again put Gujarat’s forest administration on high alert. Following reports of 13 lion deaths in recent days, the Forest Department has intensified surveillance and containment measures at Jasadhar Animal Care Centre, Jamwala Rescue Centre and other sensitive locations. At the same time, wildlife activists and experts are questioning the legal basis of quarantining lions and the lack of public disclosure regarding the outbreak.<\/p>\n Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia recently visited the affected areas to review the situation. During inspections of Jamwala Rescue Centre, Babariya forest area and Jasadhar Animal Care Centre, he examined medical facilities, treatment protocols, availability of medicines and measures being implemented to prevent further spread of the infection.<\/p>\n The minister stated that the government does not want to take any risks and has directed officials to strengthen disease surveillance, improve immunity management and identify the source of the infection through scientific investigation.<\/p>\n However, several questions remain unanswered. Wildlife activists claim that around 15 lions have been kept under confinement at Jasadhar, but details regarding the legal authority and scientific justification for such action have not been publicly disclosed. Under wildlife protection regulations, such interventions generally require approval from the Chief Wildlife Warden and a clear scientific rationale.<\/p>\n Experts argue that removing a wild lion from its natural territory can have significant ecological and behavioural consequences. Vacated territories may be occupied by other lions, leading to territorial conflicts when the original animal is released. Such disturbances can also pose risks to cubs and pride structures.<\/p>\n Another issue concerns laboratory reports from samples collected in May. Activists allege that test results have not yet been made public. They argue that if the cause of infection has been identified, the findings should be released in the interest of transparency and public accountability.<\/p>\n Disease outbreaks among Gir lions are not unprecedented. In 2018, an outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) severely affected the Asiatic lion population. Investigations found 21 of 23 tested lions infected with the virus. More than 60 lion deaths were subsequently linked to the outbreak over a two-year period. In response, the Gujarat government imported vaccines from the United States and initiated vaccination programmes for lions and other vulnerable wildlife.<\/p>\n In 2021, another cluster of lion deaths renewed concerns about disease management within the expanding lion population. The current situation has revived memories of the 2018 crisis.<\/p>\n According to Forest Department figures, Gujarat’s lion population increased from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020 and further to 891 in the 2025 census. The population is now spread across 58 talukas in 11 districts, reflecting a major conservation success story.<\/p>\n Yet population growth has also brought new challenges. Lion habitats are estimated to contain around 108,000 stray dogs, which scientists consider potential carriers of CDV. Scientific studies published after the 2018 outbreak highlighted the role of free-ranging dogs in transmitting infectious diseases to wildlife populations.<\/p>\n The region is also home to more than 80,000 stray cattle. Ticks found on these animals can transmit Babesia and other parasitic infections that may weaken lions’ immune systems and increase their vulnerability to disease.<\/p>\n Transparency has emerged as one of the central issues in the present crisis. Access to certain locations, including areas around Jasadhar, is reportedly restricted for journalists and independent observers. As a result, most information is available only through official channels. Wildlife groups have called for regular public bulletins detailing infection status, treatment measures and causes of mortality.<\/p>\n Concerns are also being raised about industrial and mining activities in ecologically sensitive lion habitats. Environmental groups have objected to proposals involving forest land near Babarkot in Rajula taluka, arguing that increasing human pressure on lion landscapes could create additional long-term risks.<\/p>\n For now, the Forest Department continues intensive monitoring, laboratory testing and treatment efforts to contain the outbreak. Yet the latest incident has once again highlighted the broader challenge of managing disease risks in a rapidly growing lion population.<\/p>\n The Asiatic lions of Gir are not only Gujarat’s pride but a globally significant conservation asset. Ensuring transparency, scientific management and public trust will be critical as authorities respond to the current health crisis and prepare for future threats.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Virus Threat Returns to Gir: 13 Lion Deaths Raise Questions Over Quarantine Measures and Transparency Dilip Patel Ahmedabad, June 11, 2026 A fresh disease scare among the Asiatic lions of Gir has once again put Gujarat’s forest administration on high alert. Following reports of 13 lion deaths in recent days, the Forest Department has intensified […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[6262,36,32,26,28],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paUKPQ-e4M","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54112"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54112"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54113,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54112\/revisions\/54113"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}