Junagadh, November 1: Another open well became a watery grave for a big cat in Gir. A 14-year-old lionesss died in Pachpachiya village near Tulshishyam range in Gir east after reportedly falling into a well about 100 feet deep. The time when the animal fell into the well — which did not have a parapet — is yet to be ascertained. The well is located on a farm belonging to one Nathabhai Gohil. Gohil, on noticing the carcass floating in the well on Tuesday, immediately informed forest officials along with the village sarpanch. Range Forest Officer (Tulsishyam) rushed to the spot and got the dead animal fished out. Forest officials are speculating that the animal would have fallen into the well two days ago.

A panel of doctors at Junagadh’s Sakkarbagh Zoo on Wednesday night carried out a post-mortem on the carcass. When contacted, zoo doctor C N Bhuva said the lioness had died due to drowning.

When contacted, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir east) S P Sisodiya said, “There is no sign of any external injury on the animal’s body. Also, 15 claws were found to be intact. Prima-facie, it is case of an accidental death.”

Sisodiya has appealed farmers to construct parapets or cover wells without them or fence them to avoid death of lions.