Lioness killed in Gir forest

The state Forest Department found the carcass of a lioness from the Tulsishyam range in Gir forest in the district,officials said on Saturday.

The state Forest Department found the carcass of a lioness from the Tulsishyam range in Gir forest in the district,officials said on Saturday. The big cat was killed by a sharp weapon.

The carcass of a seven-year-old lioness was found on Thursday night from the protected forest area. It was then brought to the Forest Departments Jasadar medical clinic for animals for a postmortem,they said.

As per the postmortem report,the lioness had received several wounds on the left side of her chest by a sharp weapon,the officials added.

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The Forest Department has launched an investigation into the suspected poaching incident and Regional Forest Officer B P Ranparia is heading the inquiry.

Department officials said that this is a case of poaching and they will leave no stone unturned to get to the culprits.

Two years ago,nine lions had been killed in separate incidents by a gang of poachers from Madhya Pradesh. The Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is the last abode of the Asiatic lion. A 2005 census had found 259 lions in the sanctuary. The next such census is likely to be conducted in 2010.

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