Overview

• On August 4, a viral video from Bhavnagar showed Gautam Shiyal approaching an Asiatic lion mid-meal before the animal lunged and he retreated unharmed.
• The footage drew widespread online condemnation as viewers warned that the stunt risked both human lives and the safety of endangered wildlife.
• Investigators from the Shetrunji Wildlife Division traced the incident to the Sim area between Bambhor and Talli villages and identified Shiyal.
• Shiyal was arrested on August 6 and formally charged under several provisions of the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act for harassing a protected species.
• A Talaja court rejected his bail application on August 7 and remanded him to district jail custody as the forest department’s inquiry continues.