Lioness death: HC seeks report

TOI
Ahmedabad
Tue,04 Oct 2016

Summary: After the death of the lioness, two other lions had gone missing. AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court on Monday asked the state government to submit a report on the investigation conducted into the death of a pregnant lioness caused by electrocution.The HC questioned the authorities after a PIL was filed in the matter demanding investigation by CID (crime) into the death. He has demanded formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure in case of unnatural deaths of lions. The court has also sought explanation about vacancies in the forest department, because the petitioner has demanded immediate filling up of the posts.The HC has kept further hearing in the matter on October 13. The Wild Life Crime Cell constituted in the past also remains dormant in such cases.

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court on Monday asked the state government to submit a report on the investigation conducted into the death of a pregnant lioness caused by electrocution.The HC questioned the authorities after a PIL was filed in the matter demanding investigation by CID (crime) into the death. The incident took place on September 1, and the carcass was found two days later in Hiran river in Talala range of Gir sanctuary - the last abode of the Asiatic lions Animal rights activist, Biren Pandya , has sought a police probe in this case on the ground that forest officials failed to conduct any inquiry in this case. After the death of the lioness, two other lions had gone missing.

Postmortem has revealed that the death was due to electrocution.Pandya has raised the issue that farmers around Gir sanctuary have put up electric fences around fields, and there are nearly 168 out of 523 lions that live outside the protected area. Their lives are at risk because of hostile behaviour by local residents.Pandya argued that inaction on part of forest officials, their apathy towards proper investigation, and their failure to crack the case would boost the morale of those who commit crimes against wildlife.Asiatic Lions have been facing the threat of extinction for more than a century and the task force that was to be set up to protect lions and probe their deaths has not been formed.The petitioner has cited the 2007 case of lion poaching and then crackdown on poachers by cops. He has demanded formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure in case of unnatural deaths of lions.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Lioness-death-HC-seeks-report/articleshow/54668653.cms