In a sad development from Gujarat’s Gir forest, Veeru, one half of the well-known lion duo “Jai-Veeru”, passed away on June 10. The iconic pair, named after characters from the Bollywood classic Sholay, had been roaming together in the wild for over eight years and were often seen together in the Tulsishyam range of the Gir East division.
Veeru was around 10 years old and had recently been showing signs of illness. The forest department had moved him to the Jasadhar animal care center for treatment after he was spotted limping. Despite veterinary efforts, Veeru died during treatment. A post-mortem revealed that he had internal injuries and swelling in his stomach.
The lion pair was popular not just among wildlife lovers but also among forest staff and tourists. They were often spotted walking together, relaxing side by side, and displaying strong bonding behavior. The two lions had even defended each other from rival males, making their companionship a rare and heartwarming example in the wild.
Now, with Veeru gone, Jai remains alone in the jungle. Forest officials said Jai is being closely monitored to ensure his health and behavior are stable after losing his long-time companion.
The loss of Veeru marks the end of a legendary wildlife friendship in Gir. Many on social media and in the conservation community have expressed their sadness, calling it the end of an era for Gir’s lion tales.
