They also said the Palitana area in Bhavnagar district, which received sufficient rainfall, is attracting a large number lions and other animals. A pride was recently spotted there. The wildlife division in Sasan Gir is at present sending in a large number of tractor-tankers to replenish water holes and is also keeping a watch on movements of the prides. The main Hiran river has dried up and others have very little water. There have been instances in the past when villagers, lagers, irate over lions preying on their livestock, have tried to poison them.
Cubs succumb during the migration tion.
Besides the mammals, reptiles are also immigrating in search of water and are falling prey. Last week, forest officials rescued a crocodile, over five feet long, which had fallen into a well in a farm in Sarsai village of Visavadar taluka. Forest officers said that with the streams and rivulets drying up, crocodiles immigrating in search of waterfall, into wells. The state government has prepared a master plan to deal with the drought, which comes into effect October 1 onward. According to Singh, a similar plan had been prepared for the 1986-88 drought.