4 lion cubs die in Gujarat's Gir forest region, 17 isolated amid viral infection scare

A male tiger, Explorer, roams the Rajavommangi forest area in Polavaram district.

Forest officials, volunteers to disperse 50 lakh seed balls in north Andhra Pradesh

NCC cadets preparing seed balls in Visakhaptanam. File

| Photo Credit: K.R Deepak

Forest officials and local volunteers have begun the mass production of seed balls for a drive to disperse 50 lakh of them across the erstwhile Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, in a bid to widen the region’s green cover.The drive relies on indigenous, rare and drought-resistant tree species, chosen so the new growth can survive and last, and forms part of the State-wide “Harita Samaram” mission to plant 2.5 crore seed balls under the State government.Forest officials and volunteers met at the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary recently for a training programme on producing seed balls on a large scale, the first step towards the target of 50 lakh across the region. The event was attended by senior forest department officers, including Visakhapatnam Chief Conservator of Forests I.K.V. Raju, along with forest officers from Paderu, Parvathipuram, Chintapalli and Anakapalli.Addressing the training, Mr. Raju said environmental action was needed as weather patterns change, and asked the participants to use the seed balls to restore vegetation in the hill tracts, the plains and coastal areas through the coming monsoon. He also asked the public to help the Forest Department by donating seeds from native fruit trees to restore local biodiversity.The method was explained step by step. Participants were told to make a mixture of 70% fresh cow dung and 30% soil to hold and protect the seeds. The seed balls are then dried for three days in a well-ventilated, grass-free area so they do not sprout or rot before they reach the ground.The campaign sits within a larger State-wide effort under the goals set by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who want 2.5 crore seed balls spread across Andhra Pradesh to lift the State’s green cover.Speaking to The Hindu, a forest official in Anakapalli district said the district had been given a target of dispersing 20 lakh seed balls. “We are readying for it,” the official said. Published - May 28, 2026 05:51 pm IST

4 lion cubs die in Gujarat's Gir forest region, 17 isolated amid viral infection scare

The 2025 census recorded 891 Asiatic lions in Gujarat. File photo.

| Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Four lion cubs have died in different areas of the Gir forest region in Gujarat due to suspected infection, while 17 big cats have been isolated, officials said.Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a high-level meeting over the development on Wednesday (May 27, 2026).Four lion cubs have died in different areas of the Gir forest region, and 17 (adult) lions are being isolated and taken care of, an official release stated, citing the details shared by Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment, Vinod Rao, with the Chief Minister at the meeting held in Gandhinagar.Mr. Rao informed that all the lions within a radius of 10 km of Gir Gadhada and Babaria areas are being monitored intensively, and no other symptoms of disease have been detected in them."All the lions in the Mahsuli area of Amreli and Bhavnagar districts are also being monitored intensively by the Forest Department, and daily reports are being received."As part of the safety measures against such seasonal diseases seen at the beginning of summer, the de-ticking and other health measures are being taken for more than 350 lions in the Gir area," the release stated.Specialist doctors from Junagadh Veterinary College have also joined this operation, said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jaipal Singh.Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) said two lion cubs in the Gir forest region have died due to suspected Babesia virus infection, while three other big cats succumbed to natural causes and infighting in separate incidents.Modhwadia, however, ruled out the possibility of any major epidemic or disease outbreak in Gir forest, the last abode of the Asiatic lions.Babesia virus spreads through ticks and can cause weakness, coughing and nasal discharge in affected animals.Earlier, 11 lions had died in Gujarat within a month in 2018 due to a combination of canine distemper virus and protozoal infection.The 2025 census recorded 891 Asiatic lions in Gujarat. Published - May 28, 2026 09:11 am IST

4 lion cubs die in Gujarat's Gir forest region, 17 isolated amid viral infection scare

After nine cattle kills, Explorer to be tranquilised

After nine cattle kills, Explorer to be tranquilised

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Forest officials, volunteers to disperse 50 lakh seed balls in north Andhra Pradesh