Lions spotted in Junagadh, Gujarat shared as Thane, Maharashtra

A video showing lions walking in an area with human settlements is viral with the claim that the incident took place on Ghodbunder road in Thane, Maharashtra.

The message used to share the video says – “Ghodbunder road, Thane, Maharashtra Dated : 11/09/19. Tme : 01.56 am live video.” Several Facebook users have shared the video. Alt News has also received verification requests on its app.

A Twitter user has also requested a fact-check.

@zoo_bear @AltNews can you confirm if this is Ghorbunder road yesterday. Looks extremely scary to have 6 Lions roaming around in and around Mumbai. Extremely dangerous for them and humans. pic.twitter.com/lLc4S0viFo

— @shrinjoyr (@shrinjoyr) September 12, 2019

Video from Gujarat

The clip was not shot in Thane but Girnar, Gujarat. As per The Indian Express, a pride of seven lions wandered to areas with human settlements due to heavy rains and flooding which have affected wildlife areas.

A pride of seven lions were seen roaming in human settlement areas of Gujarat’s Girnar. Heavy rains and subsequent floods in wildlife areas have affected them.

More at https://t.co/XYlZoUMMsK pic.twitter.com/mRWnOuiGxc

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 12, 2019

Deputy Conservator of Forests, Junagadh tweeted that it is natural behaviour of lions to cross parts of Junagadh city, rain or no rain.

Please note that Lions of #GirnarSanctuary are safe. Rains or no rains, these lions do cross through these parts of Junagadh city at times of their own free will. It is a natural behaviour of the lions in Girnar.

— DCF Junagadh (@DCF_Junagadh) September 12, 2019

Furthermore, boards with Gujarati inscription are visible in the video and people can also be heard conversing in the state language. This also suggests that the video was not shot in Maharashtra.

Earlier, another video from Junagadh, where a lion was seen crossing the road, was shared as Aarey Colony, Mumbai.