Asiatic lion found dead.

Express news service : Rajkot, Sun Jan 22 2012, 06:33 hrs
Carcass of a full-grown Asiatic lion was found on Saturday from Dedan area in Dhari-Tulsishyam range of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the only home for Asiatic lions in world.
Ruling out poaching, forest officials said a fight with another lion could have led to the tragedy even as wildlife activists demanded a proper probe.
“We found the carcass near Dedan area. The body was in a mutilated condition,’’ said Bhikha Jethava, president of Gir Nature Club. “There were injury marks near tail and on a leg,” he said, demanding a proper probe.
The carcass was later taken by forest officials to Jasadhar for post mortem.
Range Deputy Forest Officer Munishwar Raja said, “There were injuries, but internal. We suspect it was a fight with some other lion. It was a seven-year-old lion and it died about 48 hours ago.”
Raja said the post mortem report ruled out any foul play and that even all claws were intact. He ruled out any complaint or inquiry, calling it a natural death.
The Gir Nature Club, however, has written to state forest department demanding a probe. “Carcass was lying there for two days. We could see some injury marks. There should be a proper inquiry,” Jethava said.
According to last census done in 2010, there are 411 lions in GWS which is spread across Junagadh and Amreli districts of the Saurashtra peninsula. In 2004, for the first time, and so far the last, poaching of 12 lions were reported in the area.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Asiatic-lion-found-dead/902591/