India, May 29 -- Four lion cubs have died in different areas of the Gir forest region in Gujarat due to suspected infection, while 17 big cats have been isolated, officials said.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a high-level meeting over the development on Wednesday.

Four lion cubs have died in different areas of the Gir forest region, and 17 (adult) lions are being isolated and taken care of, an official release stated, citing the details shared by Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment, Vinod Rao, with the chief minister at the meeting held in Gandhinagar.

Rao informed that all the lions within a radius of 10 km of Gir Gadhada and Babaria areas are being monitored intensively, and no other symptoms of disease have been detect...