Gir National Park, Barda WLS, Girnar WLS

Gujarat has witnessed a recent surge in lion attacks, with at least nine incidents reported in the past month, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
In response, the Gujarat Forest Department has captured 31 Asiatic lions, of which seven have been declared ‘maneaters’ and will remain in permanent captivity.
The state has sought assistance from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to study possible behavioural changes in lions and identify the factors behind the increasing human-lion conflict.
Most incidents have been reported from the Gir landscape, including areas around Gir National Park, Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, where lion habitats overlap with human settlements.
The episode highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict and underscores the need for scientific wildlife management, habitat conservation and measures to ensure the safety of both local communities and endangered Asiatic lions.