Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Lion attacks cattle 45km from Rajkot.


RAJKOT: Asiatic lions are coming close to Rajkot!

The frequency of the lions preying on cattle in villages close to the city is increasing. On Saturday night, a lion killed domestic cattle in Nadala village in Babra taluka of Amreli district. The village is roughly 45 km from Rajkot.

According to sources, the lion killed a bullock in the farm of Jesing Vakotar.

"Farmers in these villages never expected that a lion would kill their cattle. They were very scared as they had never seen lions in their surroundings before. However, the lion abandoned its prey and escaped from the spot when people gathered," sources in the village said.

On Sunday too, a lion preyed on some cattle in the area. Forest department officials rushed to the spot and have started monitoring the lion's movement.

"It seems that the lion may have come from Liliya-Krakach area. We are trying to ascertain the area from where it may have come. Chances are that the lion may have strayed out of the Dhari forest range as well," a senior forest official said.

Earlier, lions have been spotted in villages of Jasdan, Gondal and Kotda-Sangani, which are all located near by Rajkot.

A few months ago, lions had killed domestic cattle in Bildi, Vinjuvadi and Sanala villages in Gondal taluka and Bhadva village in Kotda-Sangani taluka of Rajkot district. Bhadva is about 25 km away from Rajkot city. These lions had come from Chandgadh area in Amreli.

Earlier, in October 2008 too, a lioness and three cubs were spotted near Gondal. They had killed cows in Panchiyavadar village.

The data analysis of direct and indirect evidence like sightings, prey and pugmarks show that lions' kingdoms spread over 1,100 villages in three districts of Saurashtra region. At present, lions occupy an area over 16,000 square km in Saurashtra spread over three districts - Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Lion-attacks-cattle-45km-from-Rajkot/articleshow/43780744.cms

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