Minor boy killed by lion in Gir

SIBTE HUSAIN BUKHARI
Posted online: Tuesday , August 26, 2008 at 03:48:07

Junagadh, August 25 An eight-year-old boy was killed by a lion in the revenue area outside the Gir east forest division on Monday. This is the first time such an incident has occurred here. Lion attacks on humans in Gir have been far and few.
The incident occurred around 2 am on Monday on the outskirts of Munjiyasar village near Khambha town, some 15 kms from the forest boundary. The area falls under the Tulshishyam forest range. The victim has been identified as Himmat Parmar.

J S Solanki, deputy conservator of forest (Gir east), said: “The victim was guarding goats in a makeshift ranch and had fallen asleep. The animal climbed onto the verandah and instead of preying on the livestock, grabbed Parmar and dragged him to the adjoining fields.”

Solanki said the family members were sleeping in an adjacent room and rushed to the verandah after hearing noises, only to find the boy missing.

He said he rushed to the spot along with a team and began a search operation, but could not locate the boy or the animal. Later, at dawn, the boy’s remains were recovered. He said the animal had consumed a part of the body.

Solanki said the big cat has been identified as a juvenile (six-year-old) and is spotted nearby. Traps have not been laid to capture him, he said.

He said the body has been sent for autopsy and a compensation of Rs one lakh will be paid to the victim’s family.

He further said the case was probably that of mistaken identity.

Some five families of the devipoojak community are residing in a Gauchar (grazing) land on the outskirts of Munjiyasar village and had set up makeshift ranches for sheltering cattle.

Source: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Minor-killed-by-lion-in-Gir/353422/