Lion

At least 240 lions, among them 123 cubs, died in Gujarat over the last two years, and 26 of these fatalities were due to unnatural causes, state Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera informed the legislative Assembly on Tuesday. Responding to a query by senior Congress MLA Arjun Modhwadia during Question Hour, Bera said 370 leopards, including 100 cubs, also died in two years -- 2021 and 2022 -- in the state. Of the 240 lion deaths, 124 were reported in 2021 and 116 in 2022. In case of leopards, 179 died in 2021 and 191 last year, the minister said in a written reply in the Assembly, which is having its Budget session. As many as 214 lions succumbed to natural causes, while 26 fatalities were due to unnatural causes such as the big cats getting hit by vehicles or falling into open wells, he said. Among leopards, 256 deaths were due to natural causes and 114 fatalities were attributed to unnatural reasons, Bera said. The state government has taken various steps to prevent unnatural deaths

Opposition members and activists accused the government of distorting the national emblem by replacing the "graceful and regally confident" Ashokan lions

lion was ill since April 16 and was being treated by a team of doctors, but he died yesterday