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Gir National Park

Gir safari booking

• Author : Adeeb Sahil
• Date : August 06, 2025

A very sad and painful event happened in Gujarat’s Amreli district. A lion attacked and killed a five-year-old boy. This happened near a farm where the boy’s family worked. The whole village is now very shocked and upset. This is not something that happens often, but in recent years, such events have been happening more because wild animals are coming closer to places where people live. When wild animals and humans live near each other, it becomes dangerous for both. This case shows that we must be careful and do something quickly to stop more attacks like this. Many tourists also visit near this area by making Gir safari bookings, but these incidents remind us that human and animal safety must come first.

What Happened?

The boy’s name was Gulsingh Harilal Ajnera. He was the son of a farm worker. His father was working on farmland near a small village called Thordi in the Amreli district. It was a normal day, and the attack happened in the afternoon when people were doing their regular work. Suddenly, a lion came close to the fields. The lion caught the small boy and dragged him away before anyone could stop it. The lion attacked the child without any warning.

People tried to help, but everything happened too fast. No one could save the boy. After some time, people found the boy’s body about 100 meters from where he was taken. He had died from injuries caused by the lion. This sad event shows how quickly a wild animal can attack, especially in areas close to forests or open land where lions now live.

What Did The Forest Department Do?

The forest department started working as soon as they heard about the attack. They sent several teams to find the lion. These teams included forest guards and rescue experts. They worked very quickly and carefully. After some hours of searching, they found the lion they believed had attacked the child.

The lion was safely caught. The team utilized a tranquilizer to induce sleep in the lion. Then they moved the animal to a rescue center. The lion is now under observation. Forest officers stated that the lion won’t be released back to the wild for the time being. They will check its behavior and health before deciding what to do next. If the lion is found dangerous, it may never return to the forest. People making Gir safari bookings are also advised to follow safety instructions properly and avoid venturing into areas without official guides.

Where Are These Lions From?

The lion that attacked the boy is called an Asiatic lion. These lions are a unique species and are only found in India. Their full name is Panthera leo persica. Long ago, these lions were found only in Gir National Park, which is in Gujarat. Gir National Park has been their main home for many years.

But now, things are changing. These lions are moving out of the Gir Forest. They are going to other places in Gujarat. They are looking for more land, food, and water. As a result, they are coming near towns and villages. Amreli, the place where this attack happened, was not part of the Lions’ home before. But now, lions are seen there often. This is risky for both people and lions. The lions do not always find safe places to live, and people living on farms and in villages are now in danger.

Lions Living Outside Gir Forest

In the past, lions lived mostly inside the Gir Forest. But in the last few years, they have started living in many other districts. In May 2025, a new survey showed that lions now live in 11 districts outside Gir National Park. These districts are Bhavnagar, Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Rajkot, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Surendranagar, Morbi, Botad, Porbandar, Jamnagar, and Amreli.

These areas are not like forests. A lot of land here is used for agriculture. Many people live there. There are houses, farms, roads, and small towns. These places are not made for big animals like lions. But the lions are learning to live in these places. This makes life hard for people who work in the fields. They never know when a lion might come close. It is very difficult to keep everyone safe in such open areas.

Lion Population In 2025

The number of Asiatic lions is growing. In the year 2020, there were about 674 lions in Gujarat. Now, in 2025, there are around 891 lions. This is good news for wildlife experts because lions were once in danger of disappearing. But this also means there are now more lions than before, and not enough forest area for them to live safely. About 384 out of the 891 lions are in Gir National Park and its surrounding areas. But 507 lions now live outside the forest. They are found in farms, small villages, near the coast, and even near roads and towns.

This creates more chances for lions to come near people and cause harm. The lions are expanding their territory because they require more space. But the land around Gir is already full of people, farms, and animals like cows and goats. So, lions sometimes attack farm animals or people. Many people who make Gir safari bookings are excited to see these lions in the wild. But it is important to remember that these are powerful wild animals, and safe distances must be maintained.

Why This Is A Concern

The biggest problem is that lions are no longer staying inside the forest. They are moving into places where people live and work. This creates many dangers. People who live in small villages or who work in open fields are most at risk. Children, like in this case, and farm animals are easy targets for hungry or scared lions.

This kind of attack has happened before. It is not the first time. If we do not do something soon, more people may be attacked. The government and forest officers must work together to stop this. There should be better safety steps. Forest teams must check the areas where lions are seen often. More guards can be placed near villages. Also, strong fences can be built around places where people live or work. There should be quick help available if a lion comes near.

The government should create more forest zones. Lions are too many for Gir forest. New areas will help lions live safely, away from people. Lions are important, but human safety must always come first.