Amreli, December 20: In a shocking incident, three Asiatic lions were squashed to death by a goods train in Gir forest of Gujarat on Monday. The incident took place near Borala village which falls under Gir forest division in Amreli district. According to the officials, the incident took place on midnight when a pride of six lions, walking along the tracks, was hit by a goods train going from Botad to Pipavav. 'Pride of Gujarat' Asiatic Lioness In Gir Forest Being Harassed by Locals is Caught on Camera, Watch the Shocking Video.

The forest officials suspect that the incident occurred when lions had come to feed a dead body of Nil Gai (Blue bull) that was also crushed by a train in the same spot on Sunday. Due to frequent incidents in the locality, Railway has been requested to restrict the maximum speed to 45 kmph in the 100 km long stretch from Pipavav Port to Liliya. Man-eater Tigress Avni, Alleged For 14 Deaths, Killed In Maharashtra's Yavatmal.

The three carcasses were found from the track on Tuesday morning. One-and-a-half-year lioness and two male lions aged around 1.5 to 2 years died in the incident. “A goods train that was heading from Botad to Pipavav port, hit three of six lions of the pride during midnight. This led to the death of two lions and a lioness,” Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh wildlife circle, D T Vasavada told PTI.

Notably, with this incident, the number of feline deaths in and around Gir region has crossed 26 since September month. In October this year, 23 lions lost their lives due to a deadly infection called Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) and tick bone babesiosis. According to the 2015 census, there are around 523 Asiatic lions in the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 20, 2018 09:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).