Train accident kills three lions of Gir forest

After losing 23 Asiatic lions in a section of the Gir forest area in recent times, three another set of lions from a pride lost their lives as speeding goods train ran them over early on Tuesday.

The Gujarat forest department has ordered an inquiry.

Goods train travelling in Savarkundla range of Amreli, on way to Pipavav from Botad ran the two males and a female lion over, killing them on the spot.

A pride of six lions was moving along the tracks out of which one male lion aged around 2 years, while another male and a female both aged around 1.5 years were killed.

"The accident took place in the revenue area near Barola village under Savarkundala range of the East Gir forest. We have ordered an inquiry," said D.T. Vasavada, the Chief Conservator of Forest, Junagadh and spokesperson for the forest department.

"It will take some time to get the exact details about how the accident took place. We have also asked information from the railway authorities about the speed of the train," said Vasavada.

"Our men from the forest are keeping a close watch over the rest of the three lions of the pride. They will ensure that they don't come near the railway tracks where their kin got slayed," said Vasavad.