Probe into death of dozen Asiatic lions

Indian

authorities yesterday ordered a probe into the deaths of a dozen endangered wild Asiatic lions, half of them cubs, over the last 10 days, officials said. One lioness died after preying on a poisoned boar while eight others lions died of an infection in the lungs and liver. Three cubs were killed in infighting while other three passed away in the course of treatment. Gujarat officials have sent the lions’ carcasses to a veterinary hospital for analysis into the cause of infection. “Primarily the deaths appear due to natural causes or some infection,” a forest department official said.