Predator lions turn scavengers outside Gir Sanctuary

A study on feeding habits of lions in Gujarat reveals that 75% of lion food inside the Gir sanctuary is hunted wildlife. 

• However, outside the sanctuary 70% of their food consists of livestock.

• According to the study, a high percentage of killing of livestock by lions in villages outside the protected area augurs intense man-animal conflict in the future.

AHMEDABAD: As it moves away from the wild, closer to humans, the king of the jungle is hunting less and scavenging more.

A path-breaking study on feeding habits of lions in Gujarat reveals that 75% of lion food inside the Gir sanctuary is hunted wildlife. However, outside the sanctuary 70% of their food consists of livestock.

A bigger cause of concern is that only 20% of this livestock is hunted while about 50% is scavenged feed, which includes either dying or dead animals abandoned by locals, especially gaushalas, home to old, unproductive and ill cattle. The forest department doesn’t allow disposal of carcasses in the area.

The study, ‘Ecology of Lion in agro-pastoral Gir landscape, Gujarat’, has been conducted by a team of Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

According to the study, a high percentage of killing of livestock by lions in villages outside the protected area augurs intense man-animal conflict in the future.

Easy prey blunting hunting skills of Asiatic lions, say foresters

As lions move out of the wild and get closer to humans, easy availability of livestock, especially baits and dead animals, is blunting hunting skills of lions, especially cubs.