Ahmedabad, May 29 -- Eight Asiatic lion cubs have died in the Gir landscape over the past week, prompting the Gujarat government to step up surveillance and containment measures, according to a state government statement.

Forest minister Arjun Modhwadia said monitoring is being carried out by the chief minister's office and the Prime Minister's Office, and preventive measures, including large-scale deticking operations, have been intensified within a 10 km radius of the affected area.

No new cases were reported in the past two days, he said. Preliminary assessment indicates the cub deaths may be linked to babesiosis. Samples have been sent to the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre, with reports expected in three to four days, accordi...