Gir prepares for lion census with mock exercise

Forest dept estimates put the number of big cats at 400-plus

DILIP PATEL

As part of groundwork for the three-day lion census to be held in the last week of April, the forest department on Sunday began a mock counting exercise. The drill for forest staff, experts and members of NGOs and Wildlife Institute of India is as good as the actual census, officials said.Chief Conservator of Forest R V Asari said the counting method and other nuances are being be put into practice during this drill.
On Sunday, the first day of the three-day drill, water bodies in the Gir national park, sanctuary and newer areas where lions have migrated to were identified. Participating members were taught how to estimate the number of lions by looking at pug marks. Retired chief conservator of forest G A Patel who has handled the census several times said this time the number of lions may near 400; it was 359 as per the 2005 census.
The method in place since 2001 will be used. Till 2001, live baits were used on the last day of counting. This has been done away with, he said.
Beat guards have been allocated zones, where they, accompanied by four members of the census team, will keep round-the-clock watch on prides. “Lions don’t attack beat guards. A guard knows about the number of births and deaths in prides and migrations,” Patel said.