Overview
- Officials reported eight Asiatic lions, including cubs, have died from a suspected Babesia infection with cases noted in Gir Gadhada and Babariya revenue areas.
- By May 31, the Gujarat Forest Department said no new suspected Babesia deaths had been recorded in the previous three days and 17 lions remained under observation at care centres.
- Field teams isolated animals within a 10‑km radius and completed deworming and de‑ticking treatments for about 500 lions as part of an intensive containment drive.
- Samples from the deceased cubs were sent to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre for laboratory confirmation and veterinary teams from Junagadh Veterinary College and IVRI continue treatment and surveillance.
- Conservation experts warn that the species' single‑region concentration and past 2018 disease losses raise long‑term risk and reinforce calls to create separate lion populations outside Gir.