Eight Asian cubs died in the Gir district over the past week, prompting the Gujarat government to intensify surveillance and containment measures, according to a state government statement.
Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia said that the PMO and the Chief Minister’s Office are monitoring the operation and preventive measures, including large-scale tree clearing, have been intensified within a 10-km radius of the affected area.
He added that no new cases had been reported over the past two days. Preliminary assessment suggests that the cubs’ death may be related to babesiosis. The samples have been sent to the Biotechnology Research Center in Gujarat and reports are expected within three to four days, according to the minister. Experts from Junagadh Veterinary College are also participating.
The statement said that the lions have been isolated within a 10-kilometre radius and tree removal operations are underway in Gir and its surrounding areas.
Earlier, on May 26, the minister said that the death of two cubs was suspected due to babesiosis infection, while the remaining deaths were due to infighting or other causes.
The number of Asiatic lions, found only in Gujarat, stood at 891 in 2025, up from 674 in 2020, with the species spreading across Amreli, Gir Somnath and Bhavnagar.
In 2018, an outbreak of canine distemper and babesiosis virus killed 24 lions in less than a month in the Gir Natural Area. The authorities then implemented isolation and treatment measures to contain the spread of the disease. Officials said no such gathering has been observed so far.
