A 32-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing an eight-month-old lion cub in Gujarat's Junagadh district, police said on Thursday. The incident came to light after the cub's carcass was found in a forest area near the village of Bantwa on Wednesday.
Arrest and Investigation
The accused, identified as Rajesh Solanki, a local resident, was taken into custody late Wednesday night following a tip-off. According to police officials, Solanki confessed to the crime during interrogation. He reportedly used a sharp weapon to kill the cub, which had strayed into his farmland.
Forest department officials said that the cub was part of a pride that had been frequenting the area. The pride had been monitored by forest guards, but the cub had wandered off.
Post-Mortem Confirms Injuries
The post-mortem examination of the cub was conducted by a panel of three veterinary doctors at the Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh. The doctors confirmed the presence of severe physical injuries on the body, including deep cuts on the neck and abdomen, which were consistent with a sharp-edged weapon. The exact cause of death was determined to be hemorrhagic shock due to these injuries.
"The injuries were inflicted with a heavy, sharp object, likely a farm implement," said Dr. Mahesh Patel, one of the veterinarians on the panel. "The cub had been dead for about 12 to 14 hours before the carcass was recovered."
Legal Action and Wildlife Protection
The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Indian Penal Code for causing the death of a protected animal. He was produced before a local court on Thursday and remanded to police custody for further investigation.
Gujarat is home to the last remaining population of Asiatic lions in the wild, primarily in the Gir Forest National Park and surrounding areas. The state government has implemented strict measures to protect the species, which is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The killing of a lion cub is a serious offense, carrying a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison.
Forest officials have urged farmers in the region to remain vigilant and report any lion sightings to the authorities immediately. They also advised against taking any action that could harm the animals, emphasizing that compensation schemes are available for crop damage caused by wildlife.
Community Response
Local villagers expressed shock and anger over the incident. "We live alongside these lions, and they rarely cause trouble. This act was unnecessary and cruel," said Amrit Patel, a farmer from a nearby village.
The forest department has launched an awareness campaign in the area to educate residents about the importance of conserving the Asiatic lion. Officials said that regular patrols have been increased to prevent similar incidents.
