RAJKOT: In a startling encounter, residents of a village in Amreli district woke up to a terrifying sight — a fully grown lion trying to squeeze into Mulu Lakhotra's kitchen on Tuesday night. What began as faint noises in the night quickly turned into a moment of disbelief for the family, who initially assumed that a cat had wandered into their home.
The incident occurred at about 1am in Kovaya village of Rajula taluka, at the home of Lakhotra, while the family was asleep. The lion squeezed in between the kitchen wall and the rafters. The startled residents shone torches at the animal and shot videos on their phones.
Village sarpanch Jina Lakhotra said, "The lion entered the house by jumping over the 12 or 13-foot wall. The family began screaming and neighbours quickly gathered. We made sounds cautiously to ensure the lion did not panic and harm anyone." Forest officials were alerted and successfully removed the lion from the premises.
Jayen Patel, deputy conservator of forests (Shentrunji Division), explained, "This lion belongs to a pride of six lions. They are currently near Jafrabad and occasionally venture into villages in search of prey, especially when they do not find stray livestock. Such incidents are extremely rare."
Due to the village's proximity to both forested areas and the coast, lion sightings are common and residents have grown accustomed to their presence. The nearby Pipavav port also frequently reports lion sightings. About 150 lions inhabit Amreli district and there have been instances of lions scaling walls to enter verandas and cattle sheds.
Forest officials investigate viral video of lion harassment
Forest officials have launched an investigation after a video surfaced on social media on Monday, showing a case of lion harassment. The eight-second clip shows an individual driving away a lion with a stick while deliberately agitating the animal. The incident reportedly took place in a village in Liliya taluka of Amreli district. In response, forest authorities began a probe and urged the public to refrain from disturbing lions, warning that such actions could provoke the animals and lead to attacks on humans.
The incident occurred at about 1am in Kovaya village of Rajula taluka, at the home of Lakhotra, while the family was asleep. The lion squeezed in between the kitchen wall and the rafters. The startled residents shone torches at the animal and shot videos on their phones.
Village sarpanch Jina Lakhotra said, "The lion entered the house by jumping over the 12 or 13-foot wall. The family began screaming and neighbours quickly gathered. We made sounds cautiously to ensure the lion did not panic and harm anyone." Forest officials were alerted and successfully removed the lion from the premises.
Jayen Patel, deputy conservator of forests (Shentrunji Division), explained, "This lion belongs to a pride of six lions. They are currently near Jafrabad and occasionally venture into villages in search of prey, especially when they do not find stray livestock. Such incidents are extremely rare."
Due to the village's proximity to both forested areas and the coast, lion sightings are common and residents have grown accustomed to their presence. The nearby Pipavav port also frequently reports lion sightings. About 150 lions inhabit Amreli district and there have been instances of lions scaling walls to enter verandas and cattle sheds.
Forest officials investigate viral video of lion harassment
Forest officials have launched an investigation after a video surfaced on social media on Monday, showing a case of lion harassment. The eight-second clip shows an individual driving away a lion with a stick while deliberately agitating the animal. The incident reportedly took place in a village in Liliya taluka of Amreli district. In response, forest authorities began a probe and urged the public to refrain from disturbing lions, warning that such actions could provoke the animals and lead to attacks on humans.
You may also like
ASF kills over 1,050 pigs in 3 districts of Mizoram
DWP and HMRC April dates as benefits rise but one payment is scrapped
Morning Aarti performed at Shri Aadya Katyayani Shaktipith in Chhatarpur on Maha Ashtami
HC bins Rahul's plea to junk proceedings in Savarkar case
Watch: Trump posts video of US airstrike on Houthis says, 'They will never sink our ships again!'
