The Gujarat High Court has expressed serious concern about the condition of lions in Gir, where 23 lions recently succumbed to a viral infection. The deaths prompted the State government to isolate 36 wild cats and vaccinate them to prevent the spread of canine distemper virus (CDV). On Monday, the court asked Hemang Shah, amicus curiae , to get details on the condition of the lions and apprise the court on October 17, when it will take up the matter for further hearing. The court also asked State authorities and the central government to explain as to why there was a huge difference in the resources spent on the conservation of lions and tigers. The court sought to know as to why there was a conservation budget of Rs. 15 lakh per tiger, while only Rs. 95,000 had been allocated for each lion.
