The Hindu : National : Five lions electrocuted in Gir forest

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Saturday, Oct 20, 2007
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Five lions electrocuted in Gir forest

Manas Dasgupta

Farmer held for the death of the animals
Forest Department registers case against Electricity Board officials

GANDHINAGAR: Three lionesses and two cubs were electrocuted in the Gir forest, the only abode of the Asiatic lions, in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

Forest Department officials have arrested Durlabh Bardoliya, a farmer in Prempada village in Dhari taluka of Amreli district, for the death of the protected animals. According to the Principal Secretary of the Forest Department, P. N. Roy Choudhury, Mr. Durlabh has confessed to having used electric fencing in his farm to protect his cattle.

The State Chief Conservator of Forests, Pradip Khanna, said the Forest Department was also investigating if Mr. Durlabh had any other intention or if other people were also involved in the crime. The department had also registered a case against the officials of the Gujarat Electricity Board for keeping the power supply on during night hours in the protected forest areas. The Forest Department officials suspected something fishy when they noticed that five lions of a 10-member pride were missing. Investigation led the officials to the farm of Mr. Durlabh. Mr. Khanna said Mr. Durlabh had buried the animals in his farm. Some remains of the lions had been found in three pits.

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