Rescue and Health Status of Big Carnivores in and around Gir Protected Area (Gir Pa) , Gujarat

The present paper analysed the incidences of lions (Panthera leo persica) and panthers (Panthera pardus) rescued and health status in and around Gir PA. Out of 264 lions and panthers were rescued during 1996-2000 , 58.33% were rescued from revenue areas and 41.67 % from forest and sanctuary areas. It has been noticed that big cats tend to remain near the farmland in search of easy prey , thich shelter , and availability of water especially in southern and northern part of Gir PA. Lions were mostly rescued from (57.90 %) forest and sanctuary areas. While panthers (88.17 %) from revenue areas. Out of total rescued lions , 42.69% were healthy , while in case of panthers it was 43.01%. A total of 80 lion and 41 panther deaths were recorded in Gir PA during the last five years. The natural death in lion and panther was higher due to old age complications than other known cause of death. Accidental fall in wells was also a major cause of death in both species. Death due to poisoning , electrocution and poaching were observed more in lions than panthers. Infectious diseases due to endo-parasites , ecto-parasites and maggots were also one of the major cause of death in both animals. Maximum death rate was observed during rainy season followed by summer in both the animals.