An outdated methodology and the true mortality from a virus affecting India’s lions dent the credibility of the Gujarat government’s claims on its lion population. This year, the process involved 1,400 personnel according to a press release from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat. An official from the Union Environment Ministry’s wildlife division said wildlife was exclusively in the domain of the States. Singh, a member of India’s National Board for Wildlife and an expert on Gir lions estimates 26 lions to have succumbed to CDV this year. Higher numbers could mean Gujarat may have to send some lions to neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.”Beyond wildlife, lion translocation is also a political issue.

Source: The Hindu June 11, 2020 16:41 UTC