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Bengaluru: In the last week of May, eight Asiatic lions died from what is suspected to be an outbreak of Babesia – a vector-borne protozoan disease – in and around Gir in Gujarat. Seventeen others, including cubs, are undergoing treatment in quarantine centres. Authorities have initiated preventive protocols (such as more intensive monitoring of lions) in adjoining areas.

But the verdict is still out on whether it was an outbreak of Babesia, or a combination of Babesia and canine distemper virus (an infectious disease) that killed the lions. It’s been almost ten days since the first deaths, and authorities are still awaiting laboratory results.

Though Gujarat’s environment minister said on Sunday (May 31) that the situation is under control and that no lion deaths had occurred since May 29, the incident is a sobering reminder that the Asiatic lion – found only in Gujarat’s Gir and adjoining areas and nowhere else in the world – desperately needs multiple homes.

Suspected Babesia outbreak

Asiatic lions (Panthera leo leo) – the Asiatic subpopulation of one of the two sub-species of lions in the world – are found only in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. This population is listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. According to the latest census conducted by Gujarat, the population of Asiatic lions is looking up: it increased from 674 individuals to 891 between 2020-2025. 

But eight of those lions died in the last week of May – and in quick succession. Another 17 are currently undergoing treatment in quarantine centres in the state. Authorities suspect that........

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