Mahuva lion attack: Scat analysis confirms sub-adult lion's role

The scat analysis of the pride of lions that was suspected to have attacked and killed a 35-year-old man near Mahuva Taluka in Bhavnagar district has confirmed the attack.

An official in the know said that the presence of human hair was found in the scat analysis of one of the sub-adults that was part of the group. The forest department will now decide on the future course of action.

The half-eaten body of Ramabhai Chudasama was found by locals at the outskirts of Gujarada village on the morning of December 13.

At that time, a pride of 10 lions that had been living in a forest patch of 100 ha area, close to the village, was suspected to have attacked the 35-year-old.

Following the incident, forest officials said that the victim had been warned a day before about the pride of lions.

A tracker who had earlier found the drunk fisherman had warned him not to go near the pride and had told him off. But he apparently returned at night despite the warning and was attacked by the ions. The victim's brother had told the police that he had left home in the evening to buy tobacco and had not returned.

Before the incident officials had sighted a female, a sub adult and a cub on the outskirts of the village which is close to the coast.

The attack on the fisherman came a fortnight after two lions attacked and killed a caretaker at the Gir Interpretation Zone in Devaliya Safari Park near Gir Sanctuary. The lions had also injured two others in the incident.