Early last week, eight Asiatic lions, including cubs, died from a potential infection by the Babesia parasite, while 17 others thought to be exposed are being treated by the state forest and veterinary departments. The disease spreads through infected tick bites and causes weakness, anaemia, and lethargy. The deaths occurred within a 10-kilometre radius of the affected areas in Gir Somnath and Amreli districts in Gujarat.
On May 31, Gujarat’s Forest Minister, Arjun Modhwadia said, while speaking to the press, that no new lion deaths were reported after May 28 and that the 17 other lions were in isolation. So far, 500 lions have been dewormed and de-ticked to prevent further infection, the Minister said to the press. Blood samples of the affected lions are being tested at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre.
This isn’t the first outbreak in Gir. In 2018, a combination of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and Babesiosis — the disease resulting from an infection by the Babesia parasite — killed 11 lions. Babesia is a protozoan parasite that operates similar to Plasmodium parasite which causes malaria. The parasite enters the bloodstream and destroys red blood cells.
The Babesia parasite is prevalent in both wild ungulates and domesticated livestock, such as cows and buffalos. Despite being carriers, the infection doesn’t necessarily produce symptoms or mortality in carriers. Lion cubs, however, are especially at risk of mortality.
While officials have told the press that the situation is under control, the outbreak has renewed focus on the importance of diversifying the Asiatic lion’s habitat in India. The country’s entire population of lions resides in Gujarat.
According to the latest lion census by the Gujarat forest department, the state is home to 891 lions. The population rose by nearly 30% between 2020 and 2025, with a majority of lions found to be straying from the core protected area into mixed landscape habitats, where they interact with humans and livestock.
A concentrated population of lions in one place increases their exposure and vulnerability to disease, several experts have said. This risk can be mitigated by establishing smaller populations in other habitable regions. In 2013, the Supreme Court ordered the translocation of Asiatic lions to Kuno, in Madhya Pradesh, but this is yet to be done.
Mongabay-India made calls and sent texts to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Jaipal Singh requesting a status update on the infection, but did not receive a response.
Banner image: A lion cub in Gir. Image by Anushree Potdar via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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