Eight Asiatic lion cubs in Gujarat's Gir landscape have died in suspected cases of babesiosis, state authorities confirmed on Friday, 29 May. No fresh deaths linked to the suspected tick-borne infection have been recorded in the preceding 48 hours, State Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia said, as forest teams intensified surveillance, treatment, and de-ticking operations across the region.

Where the Deaths Occurred

The suspected cases have emerged from revenue areas outside the protected Gir sanctuary — specifically in Gir Gadhada taluka and the Babarkot area of Amreli district. These are part of the broader Greater Gir landscape, where a significant share of Gujarat's lion population now lives beyond the boundaries of formally protected forest zones.

Samples collected from the dead cubs have been dispatched to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, with laboratory results expected within three to four days.

What the Minister Said

'In the suspected Babesia-related cases, eight cub deaths have come to light. Whether these deaths occurred due to Babesia or some other reason can only be confirmed after the medical report is received,' Modhwadia said. He described the overall situation as 'under control' and confirmed that no new incident had been reported in the last two days.

'Forest department teams have been formed at the site and at other places, and all preventive measures that should be taken are being implemented,' he added. The minister also clarified that other recent lion deaths in the region were attributable to infighting, old age, or unrelated illnesses — not the suspected infection.

Response on the Ground

Veterinarians from Junagadh Veterinary College and forest department teams were deployed immediately after the deaths were reported. Lions within a 10-kilometre radius of the affected areas have been isolated and placed under observation. Active de-ticking operations are under way across Gir and surrounding regions.

Intensified disease-control measures — including vaccination, treatment, and de-ticking drives — were initiated following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, according to forest department sources. Chief Minister Patel and the Chief Minister's Office are personally monitoring the situation, the minister noted. Expert assistance, including from the Union government and wildlife specialists associated with Vantara, would be sought if required, he said.

What Is Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a tick-borne parasitic disease that infects red blood cells, causing weakness, coughing, nasal discharge, and severe anaemia in animals. It poses a particular threat to large felids in landscapes where tick populations are high and animals range across unprotected revenue land with limited veterinary oversight.

Historical Context and Conservation Stakes

The suspected outbreak has revived serious concerns about wildlife disease management in the Gir ecosystem — the world's only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. In 2018, more than 20 lions in the Gir region died following an outbreak linked to canine distemper virus (CDV) and babesiosis, a tragedy that prompted national-level scrutiny of the species' vulnerability to disease.

The 2025 lion census recorded 891 Asiatic lions in Gujarat, a population milestone — but one that also reflects the growing pressure of lions spilling into unprotected revenue areas where disease surveillance is harder to maintain. Round-the-clock monitoring has now been extended to vulnerable forest ranges and adjoining revenue zones.