Junagadh, July 11 (IANS) An 11-year-old boy was killed after being attacked by a lion near the new staircase route on Girnar hill in Gujarat’s Junagadh district on Saturday, prompting the Forest Department to close the route to devotees until further notice while an investigation continues.

The victim, identified as Mayur Chauhan from Kheda district, was climbing Girnar with his family when the attack took place near the 50th step on the newly constructed staircase within the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary area, according to the Forest Department.

Despite efforts to rescue him, the child died in the attack. Forest officials said teams comprising forest personnel, wildlife trackers, veterinarians and other staff rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the incident.

A rescue operation was launched to trace and capture the animal involved. During the operation, one lion was captured.

Officials said that while the animal was being examined by a veterinary doctor, it vomited, and human body parts were found in the vomit, strengthening suspicions that it was involved in the fatal attack.

The Forest Department said, “As soon as information about the incident was received, the Forest Department team, trackers, a veterinary doctor and other staff immediately reached the spot. A rescue operation was launched to trace and capture the lion. During the rescue operation, one lion was captured. During its examination by the veterinary doctor, the lion vomited, in which parts of a human body were found.”

As a precaution and to prevent any further untoward incidents, authorities have closed the new Girnar staircase route for devotees until further notice.

The department added, “The Forest Department is continuing its investigation into the incident and is taking the necessary action.”

Officials also said that further details would be shared once the investigation progresses, noting that officers were unable to respond to calls while the inquiry was underway.

Girnar Hill, a major pilgrimage destination in Junagadh, lies within the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, which forms part of the broader landscape inhabited by the endangered Asiatic lion.

While encounters between people and lions have become more frequent in parts of Gujarat as the lion population has expanded beyond traditional forest habitats, fatal attacks remain uncommon.

Earlier this month, separate lion attacks in Bhavnagar and Amreli districts left two people injured, highlighting growing interactions between humans and wildlife in the region.

–IANS

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