Lion Safari in Gir forest, to close for four months

Posted at: Jun 15 2019 7:24PM

Sasan Gir (Gujarat), Jun 15 (UNI) Lion Safari in Gir forest, meant for tourist activities, will be closed for four months from Sunday, a senior forest official of the sanctuary said here on Saturday.
It is closed every year for four months during monsoon, as per the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1972, to provide safe environment to the lions and other wild animals during their mating season in Monsoon period.
The forest will reopen on October 16.
The sanctuary, which is a part of the Gir forest and spread in Gir-Somnath, Junagadh and Amreli districts, also closes for visitors every year, from June 16 to October 15.
''The practice is followed, because the monsoon period is the mating season for lions, leopards and many other wild animals and birds'', he said.
The five-yearly Lion Census conducted last time in May, 2015, had estimated the population of Asiatic lions at 523 (27 per cent up, compared to previous census in 2010).
The population was 411 in 2010 and 359 in 2005. As per the 2015 census, the population of lions in Junagadh district was 268, Gir Somnath 44, Amreli District 174 (highest increase) and in adjoining Bhavangar District was 37. Of them 109 were males, 201 females and 213 cubs.
During the closure period, the forest department also conducts various operations in the national park, including locating any stray new born cub and rescuing it.

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