RAJKOT, GUJARAT: The carcasses of 11 lions were found in Gujarat's Gir forest, prompting the state government to order an inquiry, officials said Thursday.
All the dead lions were found in Gir (east) division, mainly from Dalkhaniya range in the last few days, an official said.
"We have found carcasses of 11 lions from Gir east forest range," said P Purushothama, the Deputy Conservator of Forest, Gir (east). For administrative purpose, the Gir forest has been divided in east and west parts.
A carcass of a lioness was found in a forest near Rajula of Amreli district Wednesday, while three more lions were found dead the same day in Dalkhaniya range area in the Gir forest, a senior official said.
Carcasses of seven other lions were found in the last few days, he said.
"We have collected viscera samples of the dead animals and sent them to the Junagadh Veterinary Hospital and are waiting for the postmortem report," he added.
Additional chief secretary of the Forest and Environment Department Dr Rajiv Kumar Gupta said the state government has ordered an inquiry which would be conducted by the principal chief conservator of forest (wildllife).