A viral video showing a lioness sitting on top of an injured man in Garajiya village of Gujarat's Bhavnagar district has set off an urgent search operation, with forest officials racing to track down the big cat after it hurt a local resident during an early morning encounter on Monday.
What the Viral Footage Shows
The clip, which has spread rapidly online, shows the lioness perched directly on top of a man while villagers nearby scream in fear and panic. The incident is being described as the latest in a string of similar run-ins between big cats and residents in the region. The footage has amplified public concern, even as the forest department moves to reassure people that the situation is under control.
Victim Rushed to Hospital
The injured man has been identified as Kalubhai Gamara, a resident of Garajiya village. He was admitted to a hospital for treatment following the attack, though further details of his condition were not immediately available.
Forest Department's Account of the Incident
The Palitana Wildlife Range office issued a statement explaining how the lion ended up near a human settlement. According to the statement, the lion made a kill on July 5 in the Dharwala region of Sonpari village. From there, the animal moved into the revenue area of Garajiya village, a route officials describe as part of its permanent movement corridor.
The statement further explained that by the morning of July 6, villagers had begun their usual daily movement in the area. On spotting the lion, they started screaming, which startled the animal and caused it to try to flee, injuring one person in the process.
Officials Urge Caution, Not Confrontation
Following the incident, forest officials appealed to residents not to harass wild animals whenever they are sighted. They urged people to immediately inform the forest department the moment a lion's presence is noticed, rather than attempting to chase or drive the animal away on their own.
A Growing Pattern of Encounters in Saurashtra
The Saurashtra region of Gujarat is the only surviving natural habitat of Asiatic lions in the wild, and it has seen a rise in attacks by the big cats over recent months. This latest episode marks the fifth such incident in which a person has been killed or injured by a lion in the region.
Minister's Assurance After Earlier Fatal Attack
Last month, Gujarat's Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia visited the family of a five-year-old boy who was mauled to death by a lioness in the Amreli district. During that visit, he said the government would take both long-term and short-term measures to prevent further incidents of conflict between humans and animals.
