2 min readAhmedabadJun 26, 2026 09:57 PM IST
A 50-year-old man was arrested from Porbandar district on Friday in connection with the alleged killing of a male lion cub whose carcass was found recently, forest department officials said. They identified the man as Baavan Chavda.
Chavda is a resident of Rabari Ness, the region near Junagadh city from where the carcass of the cub, aged 7-8 months, was found on June 24. The area falls under the Dungar (South) range of the Junagadh forest department.
In a statement issued on Friday, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Junagadh) Akshay Joshi said, “During the interrogation, it has emerged that the accused possesses a cruel mindset. He admitted to having killed the lion cub. He also admitted to have killed several dogs and snakes in the past. These facts show his persistent violent and insensitive approach towards wildlife and other animals.”
Joshi said, “In the preliminary investigation, injuries were found on the lion cub’s carcass. An investigation was launched. Based on the evidence gathered,
technical analysis and human intelligence, the suspect, Baavan Punabhai Chavda, was identified.”
“Three teams of the Junagadh forest department launched a search operation in the Kutiyana taluka area of Porbandar. The suspect was located and is now being brought to Junagadh for further interrogation…” the statement added.
A forest offence report was filed in the matter under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, officials said.