Amreli, often referred to as the 'Land of Lions' in Gujarat, has come under renewed scrutiny after a lioness was spotted roaming near Mota Barman village in Khamba Gir last night. The predator attacked two cattle resting by the roadside, with the entire incident captured on a village CCTV camera. The footage shows the big cat stealthily approaching the resting calves before seizing one by the neck and suffocating it, then immediately turning its attention to the second victim.
While lion sightings are common in Amreli's rural areas, the situation is becoming increasingly severe with growing incidents of livestock attacks. Villagers have repeatedly urged the forest department to enhance monitoring of lion movements and implement more robust safety measures.
In a separate incident, a lion was filmed crossing the Bhavnagar-Somnath National Highway near Jafarabad's Kagvadar village. As lions increasingly venture beyond forest boundaries into roads and settlements during the monsoon season, the risk of dangerous encounters has risen significantly. The sighting caused temporary traffic disruption as motorists stopped to film the big cat's movements.
Local residents express frustration at the lack of adequate warning systems or technical surveillance to monitor lion activity, leaving communities exposed to potential danger. Wildlife experts explain that during monsoon months, lions are forced to stray from their natural habitats when waterlogged forests make hunting difficult. They emphasise the urgent need for the forest department to implement preventive measures before the situation worsens.
