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Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Jay and Veeru – Gir's inseparable duo that won the heart of visitors, PM Modi included
Their friendship was the stuff of legends. Perhaps, that is why they were named Jay and Veeru – after the iconic duo from 1975 blockbuster Sholay. For years, the two adult lions had been the pride of Gir National Park in Gujarat. Earlier this year, even Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the inseparable pair during his visit to Gir. But over a month ago, when they were not in each other's company, Jay and Veeru sustained serious injuries in separate territorial fights. While Veeru died on June 11, a few days after sustaining the wounds, Jay succumbed to its injuries on Tuesday. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden of Gujarat Jaipal Singh said the two lions used to lead the same pride of big cats. 'Veeru had sustained very serious injuries and he died a few days after that. Whereas, Jay died today. The two were rescued and we made a lot of attempts to save them but could not succeed,' Singh said on Tuesday. Deputy Conservator of Forest, Wildlife Division (Sasan-Gir), Mohan Ram said that the two were prime adult males who used to accompany around 15 female lions. 'Their area was very big, (spanning) from tourism zone to non-tourism zone and from grassland to woodland and even fringe areas. They sustained injuries in territorial fights (with other lions) while they were not together,' he added. Rajya Sabha Parliamentarian and wildlife enthusiast Parimal Nathwani, in a statement, lamented the death of the two lions. Nathwani said, 'Deeply anguished by the passing away of Jay today. After a long and valiant battle for survival, Jay too departed. To every wildlife enthusiast who has witnessed the majestic presence of Jay-Veeru or heard tales of their bond — this loss is personal. Our Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi had also witnessed the royalty of Jay and Veeru during his recent visit to Gir.' A wildlife enthusiast who has been working with the forest department said that the two lions were named as Jay and Veeru as they had been moving around the forest with each other for a long time. In the words of Nathwani: 'Gir will never be the same without them. Legends may fade, but their spirit will echo through the forests they once ruled together.'
Scroll.in
08-07-2025
- Science
- Scroll.in
A study maps how Gir lions mark scent and territory
Mammals, most prominently carnivorous species, use scent-marking as a crucial form of communication. Lions, for example, use urine, faeces, and secretions from scent glands to leave behind long-lasting chemical signals on trees and trails. While these are invisible to the human eye, they carry a meaning for other lions in that area. A study conducted in Gujarat's Gir Forest focussed on decoding some of this hidden communication. 'This is the first detailed scientific study of scent-marking in free-ranging Asiatic lions, and it reveals how scent is a powerful tool for territory defence, mate attraction, and social interaction,' says Mohan Ram, Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Division, Sasan-Gir, Gir National Park and Sanctuary, and one of the lead researchers. Leaving a mark Gir Forest, which includes a national park and sanctuary, is spread across nearly 1,900 square kilometres in Gujarat's Saurashtra region. It is home to over 40 species of mammals, including leopards, hyenas, and jackals, but the lion is its undisputed icon. To understand how the big cats use scent to communicate, researchers collaborated with Gir's seasoned field trackers. These experts helped identify trees that showed signs of regular scratching and are favoured spots for lion scent-marking. At 36 such locations, the team installed motion-triggered infrared cameras between March 2022 and April 2024. 'Across three seasons, we faced all kinds of challenges, from sensor triggers caused by birds or wind to monsoon rains that washed away scent marks. Reaching camera trap locations during heavy rain was a task in itself. Plus, the volume of data collected was enormous, and it took a lot of effort to sift through and sort out usable footage,' says Ram. Each time a lion passed by the cameras captured a short video and a photograph. In total, they logged over 15,000 wildlife detections, of which 1,542 featured lions. Every lion video was carefully analysed for specific behaviours such as sniffing, scratching, spraying, rubbing, and even climbing. 'Camera trapping helped us capture behaviour without disturbing the lions. We also kept the camera settings standard across sites and seasons to ensure consistency,' says Ram. Researchers also documented tree characteristics such as species, height, girth, and proximity to roads or water to understand what made certain trees more likely to be used as scent posts. The data was then grouped by season, time of day, the lion's age and sex, and the traits of the marked trees. Using statistical tools, the team mapped out behavioural patterns and scent-marking preferences across the Gir landscape. Marking scent Among all observed behaviours, sniffing was the most common, accounting for nearly 40% of the recorded actions. This was followed by scratching (30%) and spraying (12%). Young lions were more likely to climb trees, possibly as playful behaviour or a way of learning. Males were the more active scent-markers, often around pride territories. Females also left their mark, especially when they were in heat. 'It's a key part of territorial and reproductive strategy in a species with such a limited geographic range. Sub-adults were also seen using the same trees repeatedly, almost like they were learning how to mark territory,' says Ram. Most of these behaviours occurred in the early morning hours, with scratching and spraying peaking at 3.44 am and 4.17 am respectively. This pattern suggests that scent-marking is a deliberate and well-timed part of the lions' daily routines. Winter turned out to be the busiest season for scent-marking. This aligns with the peak of lion mating season, highlighting the link between chemical communication and reproduction. 'Cooler temperatures meant more lion movement, which led to more marking. Interestingly, lions often chose tilted trees (around 45 degrees) because the spray lands better and holds fragrance longer, especially in the monsoon,' says Ram. A good marking spot Lions also didn't mark trees at random. They showed clear preferences for certain species, especially Butea monosperma and Syzygium cumini. 'We noticed that the lions preferred trees with soft bark or gum, species with strong secondary metabolites, likely because the scent tends to linger longer. Teak trees were avoided; the bark is too hard to claw,' says Ram. Location played a key role too. Most of the marked trees were near forest trails and water sources. Trails serve as lion highways, ideal places to advertise presence to rivals or potential mates. 'The preferred trees were often near trails, indicating lions may be aligning marking behaviour with movement corridors, possibly even taking human presence into account,' explains Ram. Moist environments may also help preserve chemical signals for longer durations. Scrub habitats, in particular, recorded more scent-marking activity. Their open structure likely makes scent-posts more visible and accessible. Studying behaviour Asiatic lions differ from their African counterparts in many ways. They live in smaller groups, don't breed in synchrony, and are confined to a single, limited landscape in western India. These unique conditions shape how they interact, compete, and survive. By identifying where and when scent-marking takes place, this study offers valuable insights into lion behaviour. The findings can help conservationists refine strategies for habitat protection, water management, boundary marking, and lion monitoring ensuring the continued survival of India's last wild lions. 'Knowing which tree species lions prefer can guide habitat improvement efforts. It can even help prevent poaching by identifying high-use marking spots,' says Ram. The researchers recommend that future studies combine scent-marking data with GPS collaring to track individual lions over time. This approach could reveal more details such as whether specific lions favour particular trees, and how their marking behaviours shift with seasons, age, or social status. All these insights could be particularly valuable as the lion population eventually grows and begins expanding into Gir's neighbouring areas. 'It can directly inform habitat planning beyond Gir, and support strategies for lion movement and coexistence with local communities,' Ram says.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
Two held while trying to sell ivory stick
Mumbai: In a joint operation by the Crime Branch and forest department, two men were caught red-handed while attempting to sell carved ivory near Sarvodaya Hospital in Ghatkopar West, on Monday evening. According to the police Crime Branch Unit 5, Kurla, received a tip-off about the illegal wildlife trade activity. The information was promptly relayed to the Area Forest Officer, Wildlife Division, Mumbai (Teen Hath Naka, Thane). Acting on the intelligence, a trap was laid around 7 pm and two suspects were found in possession of a carved ivory stick. The ivory item was seized and the accused were arrested and handed over to forest officials. tnn Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Second synchronised survey of Nilgiri Tahr concludes; sightings in former habitats indicate population recovery, says forest department
The second synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr, Tamil Nadu's State animal, has concluded successfully, according to a press release issued by the Environment, Climate Change & Forests Department. Conducted under the ongoing Project Nilgiri Tahr, the large-scale survey was completed on April 27 across 176 survey blocks in 14 forest divisions. Nearly 800 field staff were deployed, collectively covering around 2,000 kilometres of challenging terrain. According to the release, Nilgiri Tahr were sighted in most survey blocks, with encouraging signs of breeding, as many herds included kids and young individuals. A particularly notable observation came from the Periyattumalai area in the Coimbatore division, where Nilgiri Tahr were once again spotted after being rediscovered there last year following a decade-long absence, the release said. Similarly, sightings in the newly colonised Pasumalai block in the Chinnamanur range of the Megamalai division indicated healthy habitat recovery. Notably, seven of the ungulates were sighted at even the lowest elevation, just 240 metres above sea level, in the Peyanar Varaiyattu Mottai block — a dry, thorny escarpment terrain. The survey also recorded pellets in the Mangaladevi block of Megamalai division, where the species was previously thought to have moved out. As part of the survey, field teams collected Nilgiri Tahr pellet samples and carnivore scat for parasitic analysis. These samples are being prepared for detailed laboratory study at the Wildlife Division of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS). The goal, the department said, is to understand parasitic species and their life cycles in association with the Tahr. Populations were reported to be especially healthy in the Grass Hills and Mukurthi National Parks — two critical habitats considered key for the survival of the species. Photo documentation from these areas supports the continued importance of these ecosystems. The survey was led by M. G. Ganesan, Project Director; Ganeshram, Assistant Director; Chendura Sundaresan, Forest Range Officer, along with research personnel and experts from TANUVAS and WWF India. Top officials including IUCN country representative Yash Veer Bhatnagar, Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra monitored the survey.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect hospitalized after shots fired during stop with conservation officer in Duchesne County
DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah () — The Officer Involved Critical Incident protocol has been initiated in Duchesne County after 'an incident' took place between 'a suspicious person' and a conversation officer with the Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday night. In a press release with limited info, the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened just before 9 p.m. Deputies were reportedly made aware of a suspicious person in the Duchesne County area. The suspicious person was reportedly 'swerving all over the roadway' before it left the road and struck an unknown object, according to the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office. A Wildlife Division conservation officer with the Utah Department of Natural Resources reportedly responded to the scene and conducted a traffic stop on the suspicious vehicle. A new home for jazz and dining is opening in downtown Salt Lake City Chase Pili, a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement said shots were fired during the traffic stop. 'The suspect was injured and was transported to a local area hospital before being transported later to a Salt Lake area hospital,' Pili said in a statement. 'The officer was not injured in the incident.' It is currently unclear what happened in the incident leading up to the shooting. However, the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office confirmed that there is no danger to the public. Pili said due to the ongoing investigation, additional details would not be released at this time. The conservation officer involved has been put on administrative as the investigation continues. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
