ZCZC
BFF-46
INDIA-ACCIDENT-ANIMAL-CONSERVATION
Train kills three endangered lions in India
AHMEDABAD, India, Dec 18, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Three endangered young lions
were killed after being run over by a goods train in a wildlife sanctuary in
western India, a forestry official said on Tuesday.
“All three died on the spot. They included two lions aged around two years
and one lioness also around the same age,” D T Vasavada told AFP.
He added that it would be investigated whether the train was travelling too
fast and whether forest staff and trackers were negligent in their duties.
“If found guilty, strict action will be taken against them,” he said.
The animals were part of a six-strong pride in the Gir sanctuary in
Gujarat, home to India’s entire population of around 500 wild Asiatic lions.
BSS/AFP/RY/1855 hrs