3 of 17 lions 'sentenced' to life in a zoo for killing three humans

Recently, six attacks on humans by Asiatic lions in Gujarat's Gir sanctuary was reported, of which three people were killed. 

In connection to this case, 17 lions were rounded up as 'suspects' in the murder case. And on Wednesday, it was reported that three of these 17 lions have been found guilty. 

After analysing their pug marks and faeces during a 25-day captivity, one adult male and two sub-adult female lions were found to have turned man-eaters and 'guilty' of killing locals, as human remains were found from the excreta of these three lions, Chief Conservator of Forest for Junagadh division, A P Singh, said.

"Now, the male lion will be kept for its entire life in a cage at Sakkarbaug zoo on the outskirts of Junagadh city, while the two lionesses will be kept locked in any of forest department's rescue centre for their lives," he said.

A major portion of the Gir sanctuary falls in the adjoining Junagadh district. Dhari taluka lies on the border of the sanctuary.

The forest department had started the drive to cage the lions after three persons - a 14-year-old boy, a woman aged around 50 and a 61-year-old man - were mauled to death by the felines in the same region in April and May.

(With PTI inputs)