A tragic incident claimed the life of an Asiatic lioness late on Sunday night in Gujarat's Amreli district. The big cat was struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to cross the busy Bhavnagar–Somnath national highway.
Details of the Tragic Accident
The accident occurred near Hemal village in the Jafrabad taluka. According to the forest department, the lioness sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot. The incident remained undiscovered until early Monday morning. Upon receiving the information, a team from the Jafrabad Range forest department swiftly reached the location.
Range Forest Officer G L Vaghela stated that the department was alerted in the early hours, after which staff conducted the necessary preliminary procedures. The carcass was taken into custody and transported to the Babarkot Animal Care Centre for a postmortem examination.
Investigation and Search for the Driver
Authorities have launched a thorough investigation to hold the responsible party accountable. "CCTV footage from nearby hotels and along the national highway is being examined to identify the vehicle involved. Efforts are underway to trace the driver responsible," Vaghela explained. Forest guards and trackers are actively involved in the probe.
A Notorious Stretch for Wildlife Fatalities
This is not an isolated event on this particular roadway. The Bhavnagar–Somnath national highway, especially the Rajula–Jafrabad section, is a known high-risk zone for the endangered Asiatic lions. The area has witnessed several wildlife fatalities in the past, including the deaths of lion cubs.
Lions are frequently spotted crossing roads near a string of villages in the region, making them vulnerable to fast-moving traffic. The forest department has identified the following villages as common crossing points:
- Timbi
- Chelna
- Hemal
- Dudhala
- Nageshri
- Kagvad
- Charnala
- Hindorna
- Kadiyali
This latest death underscores the ongoing conflict between wildlife movement and human infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for effective mitigation measures to protect Gujarat's iconic lion population.
