Rajkot: In an unprecedented move, the Gujarat forest department has captured the entire pride of the Asiatic lion named Bhagat, not because the other animals were involved in attacks on humans, but “to ensure their safety” after the dominant male was removed from the wild. The decision has triggered a debate among wildlife experts and conservationists, many of whom have questioned the necessity of relocating the lioness and cubs.Under standard protocol, forest officials capture a lion only if it is confirmed to have attacked or killed a human. Bhagat, the dominant male of the pride in the Liliya area of Amreli district, was captured after he killed a 21-year-old man, Sohil Memon, on July 8. Forest officials alleged that Memon and two friends had approached Bhagat while he was mating and were filming the animals when the attack occurred.In an Right to Information reply to a wildlife activist Jaidev Dhadhal the Gujarat forest department has stated no orders were given to capture any pride or wild animals. Dhadhal had sought in an RTI applicant sought two sets of permissions. The first requested details of approvals granted to capture and relocate lions from Amreli’s revenue areas following rising attacks on humans. The second sought permissions for capturing around 600 lions for intestinal sampling during the investigation into the mysterious lion deaths reported in Gir. In reply to both the replies the forest replied that on checking the record there are no such orders issued.Officials said people should never approach wild animals, particularly lions, as they are likely to react aggressively if their space is invaded. Bhagat and his pride had been living near the area for years and locals were aware of their presence.While senior forest officers in Junagadh and Palitana denied that Bhagat’s pride was relocated, sources in Gandhinagar confirmed that the entire pride — comprising six animals including cubs — had been captured.“We removed the pride because Bhagat was the dominant male, and after his removal we wanted to ensure the safety of the remaining animals,” a senior forest official said.Another official said the pride frequently rested near a road with heavy human movement. “To prevent future incidents of human-animal conflict, we decided to relocate the pride,” the officer added.Forest authorities also said that another dominant male could take over Bhagat’s territory and kill the cubs, a behaviour occasionally observed among lions during territorial changes. Wildlife activists strongly disputed this reasoning.“When the dominant male disappears, lionesses naturally adapt and protect their cubs. This is part of their normal behaviour, and there was no need for human intervention,” said one wildlife activist.
