Asiatic lions returning to Chotila in Surendranagar after preying on a pig near Aji dam about 20km from Rajkot city, has left the forest officials scratching their head as to why the lions that travelled all the way to Gondal and Rajkot were returning back.
A senior forest officer however said that lions coming back to Chotila taluka indicates that the two lions are moving in search of mating partner. Also, it is now clear that they have established their territory in Chotila area and would be moving back and forth between Chotila and Rajkot in search of mate as well as prey.
The lions that had preyed on a pig near Aji Dam on the outskirts of Rajkot on Monday night were sighted at Dhokalva village of Chotila in Surendranagar district on Wednesday evening.
“One of the lions is radio collared, due to which we are able to follow its movements. A team of 10 forest officials are monitoring the movements of the big cats, lest they cause any harm to any human being,” said J K Ambalia, range forest officer, Jasdan of Rajkot district.
On Monday, the lions were spotted between Bhadla and Bhandariya villages, roughly 30 km from Rajkot, in Jasdan taluka.
The place where they preyed on a pig — between Kalipat and Tramba villages — is just about 20 km from Rajkot city.
The foresters are confident that the area of Rampara Virdi will now become new habitat for the big cats. They further added that Rampara Virdi has all the characteristis of becoming a lion habitat like availability of biomass. The region also has a good prey base of chital, neelgai, sambhar and wild boar. Rampara Virdi already home of another predator species the wolves, said foresters.
According to forest officials, two lions from Gir had travelled 35 km to reach Kotda Sanghani from there they crossed Gondal city only to reach Shapar about 19 km from Rajkot.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/chotila-to-soon-become-permanent-habitat-of-gir-lions/articleshow/73531576.cms
The foresters are confident that the area of Rampara Virdi will now become new habitat for the big cats. They further added that Rampara Virdi has all the characteristis of becoming a lion habitat like availability of biomass. The region also has a good prey base of chital, neelgai, sambhar and wild boar. Rampara Virdi already home of another predator species the wolves, said foresters.
According to forest officials, two lions from Gir had travelled 35 km to reach Kotda Sanghani from there they crossed Gondal city only to reach Shapar about 19 km from Rajkot.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/chotila-to-soon-become-permanent-habitat-of-gir-lions/articleshow/73531576.cms
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