Another video of illegal lion show in Gir goes viral

Update:
Junagadh: After a video viral online and also on local news TV channel, Gujarat Forest department clarified: In view of action initiated by forest department, against illegal lion show and other illegal activities some agencies with vested interest, are circulating old videos in social and electronic media. The lioness video shown in media today is an old video. The offender is Iliyas from Drubak Settlement Area of Babariya Range who was booked by Forest Department and is in judicial custody since May 2018.

Veraval: Amid the claims of strict action against illegal lion-show organizers in Gir area which has also been suspected as a reason behind spread of deadly canine distemper virus (CDV) among the big cats, another video of such a show has gone viral.

In the short video suspected to be shot somewhere in Gir forests in Gir Gadhada area of Gir Somnath district, a man sitting on a chair could be seen holding a hen in his hand and tempting a lioness standing quite close-by. The lioness after first few attempts ultimately catches the hen.

It is difficult to say whether this is an old video a new one.

A forest official said that the matter is being investigated. It would also be checked as to whether it was an old one or a recent one.

In the same area 7 people were jailed some time back for organizing lions shows.

DeshGujarat