Gujarat's pride at Bhavnagar's doorstep

RAJKOT: Villagers of Khadarpar village near Bhavnagar city have been spending sleepless nights since a fortnight.
For the first time, lions have preyed on cattle and sheep in their village and badly mauled a mare.
"In the last two weeks, lions have killed two cattle and four sheep. On Saturday, a lioness attacked the mare at my farm. We are living under constant fear," said Deepsinh Gohil, a villager.
Gohil told TOI that he had purchased the mare of Kathiawadi breed for Rs 1.5 lakh a year ago. "The chances of her survival are slim," he said.
Villagers have started guarding their farms round-the-clock to save their precious cattle from the lioness.
Lions have been seen in coastal villages of Talaja and Ghogha earlier. Some weeks ago, a group of lions was spotted in Ghogha, which is just 20km from Bhavnagar.
Forest department officials said there are around 50 lions in Bhavnagar district, mainly near Mahuva and Palitana.