Junagadh, Oct 24 — A tragic incident occurred in Gujarat’s Junagadh district on Friday when a lioness drowned in a canal while attempting to escape Forest Department officials.
The feline had strayed into a residential area near Divasa village around 5 a.m., sparking panic among locals who immediately alerted authorities. Forest staff reached the spot and managed to corner the lioness inside a compound. However, the animal later fled and accidentally fell into a nearby canal, where her legs got entangled in vegetation, leading to drowning.
Officials recovered the carcass and sent it to the Amrapur Care Centre for a post-mortem. Preliminary findings confirmed death due to drowning after getting trapped in the canal’s grass.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident. Gujarat has witnessed several instances of lions wandering into human settlements, particularly in areas bordering Gir National Park, the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion.
With over 670 lions as per the latest census, Gujarat plays a key role in the conservation of this endangered species. The state government continues to strengthen measures — including drone surveillance, rapid response teams, and awareness campaigns — to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and protect both residents and wildlife.