555 Asiatic lions Died In 5 Years, No Increase In Mortality Rate: Centre

Over the years, experts have demanded the translocation of lions in India as the big cats have been geographically isolated in Gir.

A total of 555 Asiatic lions died in the last five years but there has been no increase in their mortality rate, the government told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Gir forest in Gujarat is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. According to government data, the number of these big cats in Gir rose from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020.

Replying to a question, Union Minister of State for Environment Ashwini Kumar Choubey told the Lower House that 555 lions died in the last five years.