Rajkot: Forest officials on Tuesday recovered the head and skeletal remains of a 30-year-old man in Rajula taluka of Amreli district after a group of Asiatic lions was found feeding on his body. Authorities are investigating whether the man was killed by the lions or whether the animals fed on him after his death.The victim, Prakash Chandra, was a native of Uttarakhand who worked at a dhaba near Kovaya village. The area is home to several roadside eateries that cater to employees of a nearby cement plant.According to forest department officials, Chandra left the dhaba around 1am with a security guard. He was later seen carrying a bag, but his whereabouts after that remain unclear. Around 5.50am, employees at a nearby petrol pump alerted forest officials after spotting a lion feeding on what appeared to be a human body.When forest teams reached the spot, they found only Chandra’s head and skeletal remains. Officials suspect that a pride of four lions inhabiting the area had consumed much of the body.The incident has triggered a detailed investigation involving both the forest department and the police. Sources said Chandra had recently told his employer that he wanted to return to his native place. Investigators are also examining reports that he had differences with his employer and was a habitual alcohol consumer.“We are investigating all possible angles, including why he was outside at that hour and who was with him. We have collected CCTV footage from nearby locations and are recording statements of his colleagues and others. The police have also joined the investigation,” said Chirag Amin, deputy conservator of forests, Shetrunjee Division.The remains have been sent for a forensic postmortem examination. Forest officials said preliminary findings suggest Chandra may have been unconscious, intoxicated or already dead when the lions mauled the body. They noted that Asiatic lions generally do not attack humans without provocation.As part of the probe, the forest department has captured two of the four lions believed to have been involved in the incident, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining two. Officials are also trying to establish whether the body was fed upon by a single lion or multiple animals. Scat analysis will be conducted after all four lions are captured.The unusual nature of the incident has prompted the state government to review monitoring measures in lion habitats.State forests and environment minister Arjun Modhwadia said officials have been directed to strengthen surveillance in lion-prone areas.“I have instructed the department to increase the number of trackers to prevent such incidents in the future. Lions rarely attack humans in this manner. The department is examining whether there has been any behavioural change in the animals or whether the incident occurred because the victim was moving alone in the area. Appropriate steps are being taken,” the minister said.
