The New Indian Express ·
Gujarat loses 62 lions in 2026 to disease, cubs most affected
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat has reported 62 lion, lioness and cub deaths linked to diseases during the year preceding July 31, 2026, the state Assembly was informed on Friday. The government listed pneumonia, anaemia, kidney and liver dysfunction, multi-organ failure, myocardial infarction and other illnesses among the reported causes.
While the figures highlight the scale of reported mortality, cubs emerged as the most affected group, accounting for 28 deaths -- nearly half of the total. According to a written reply by the state forest minister, of the total deaths, cubs recorded the highest mortality, with 28 deaths, accounting for 45.2% of the total.
Meanwhile, 17 male lions and 17 lionesses died, each representing 27.4% of the reported deaths. Together, adult lions accounted for 34 fatalities, while cub deaths alone made up nearly half of the total reported mortality. The data was furnished in response to a question raised by Congress MLA Shailesh Manubhai Parmar of Ahmedabad’s Danilimda area, who sought details of diseases affecting lions, resulting deaths and the government’s preventive measures.