Gujarat's Forest Department has completed deworming of approximately 500 Asiatic lions across the Gir landscape, Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia announced on Sunday, 1 June 2025, after conducting an on-ground review of affected areas. The intervention follows the deaths of eight lions linked to a suspected tick-borne infection, though no fresh fatalities have been recorded in the past three days.

Ground Situation and Current Status

Modhwadia visited the Jamwala Rescue Centre, the Babariya forest area, and the Jasadhar Animal Care Centre, where veterinary teams are monitoring animals showing signs of illness. As of his visit, 17 lions remain under observation at various facilities. The minister stated that preventive measures were initiated as early as 19 May — more than a week before the issue formally came to public attention on 28 May.

'Although this incident came to notice on the 28th, they had already started taking the necessary preventive measures from the 19th itself. Because of those preventive measures, we can now say that the situation has been brought almost completely under control,' Modhwadia said.

Where the Deaths Occurred

The eight fatalities were reported from areas outside the protected Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, specifically in Gir Gadhada in Gir Somnath district and the Babariya region of Amreli district. Forest authorities have since isolated lions within a 10-kilometre radius of the affected zones and launched anti-tick and surveillance operations. Samples from affected animals have been sent to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre for laboratory confirmation of the exact cause.

Suspected Disease: Babesiosis

Preliminary assessments point to babesiosis, a tick-borne parasitic disease that attacks red blood cells and can cause weakness, respiratory distress, and severe illness in animals. Veterinary specialists from Junagadh Veterinary College and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) are assisting in investigation and treatment. Notably, official laboratory confirmation is still awaited.

Wildlife authorities are closely monitoring the situation against the backdrop of Gir's 2018 outbreak, when a combination of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and Babesia infection led to significant lion mortality. Recent reports have raised concerns about a possible recurrence of the same combination, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Conservation Context and Government Response

Modhwadia credited forest officials, veterinarians, and field staff for their rapid response, stating there was 'no cause for concern' under present circumstances. He also noted that a team from IVRI had joined to assist local experts. The minister highlighted that the Asiatic lion population reached 891 in the latest state census conducted in 2025 — the species survives in the wild exclusively in Gujarat and has expanded beyond Gir into several districts across the Saurashtra region.

The state government, according to Modhwadia, remains committed to lion conservation under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. With laboratory results still pending, authorities are expected to maintain heightened surveillance across the Gir landscape in the coming weeks.