Gandhinagar: A new census in Gir forests has revealed that the population of the Asiatic lion in its only abode has risen by 52 to reach the figure of 411.
Announcing the last month's lion census results, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said here today that the number of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has gone upto 411 against 359 counted during the last census held in 2005.
The census was conducted by forest officials between April 24 and 27 in the Gir forest which is spread over in three districts of Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar.
"According to the census, presently there are 411 lions in Gir forests," Modi told reporters.
"Out of the 411 lions, there are 162 females and 97 males. There are 77 cubs which are less than one year old and 75 cubs aged between 1 and 3 years," he said.
Nearly 1600 forest officials were involved in the head count of the endangered animal that takes place every five years.
During the last five years, over 100 lions died, some due to natural reasons including diseases and some in infighting.
Numerous new births of lion cubs were recorded, Forest Department officials said.
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