Meet the warriors who helped save the Asiatic lions of Gir
- Himanshu Kaushik
- TNNUpdated: Nov 14, 2018, 15:46 IST IST
GIR/AHMEDABAD: Their enthusiasm to volunteer is spurred by lion-hearted pride; they are dogged in their devotion to Gujarat’s big cats and humbled by their responsibility to conserve the species. They are the common people of the state, members of communities whose work is vital for the survival of Asiatic lions in Gir. It is mainly their efforts which have led to the species being classed as ‘endangered’, from the earlier category of ‘critically endangered’, by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
These local volunteers have intensified efforts to protect the Gir icons from September-end, when canine distemper virus (CDV) and babesiosis began ravaging the lion population. So far, 23 lions have died. According to the May 2015 census, the state had 523 lions. However, in July this year, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani had announced that the figure had touched 600; the number is yet to be confirmed by a formal count.
These local volunteers have intensified efforts to protect the Gir icons from September-end, when canine distemper virus (CDV) and babesiosis began ravaging the lion population. So far, 23 lions have died. According to the May 2015 census, the state had 523 lions. However, in July this year, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani had announced that the figure had touched 600; the number is yet to be confirmed by a formal count.
