Indian forestery officials curious about nymphomaniac lioness

The strange behaviour of a lioness has raised curiosity among wildlife activists and forest officials in Savarkundla, Amreli district of Gujarat. The lioness, believed to be 10 years old, has been seen mating with lions frequently, a behaviour that is far from normal. Unlike normal lionesses, who do not mate for 12 to 18 months after the mating season, this lioness is seen in the act every fortnight.

"Locally this lioness is called 'Varol'. There are three lions and one lioness in the area. Few months ago we first spotted the lioness mating with a lion and after few days she was again seen mating with another lion.



"We continued to monitor her and we were surprised that she comes into the heat regularly. This is extremely unusual,'' a wildlife activist from Savarkundla said. Forest officials confirmed the behaviour of the lioness. "This lioness is nymphomaniac," a forest official, who worked in Gir for close to eight years, said.

Wildlife experts said those lionesses who are unable to conceive after the mating show such characteristics. "In such cases, the lioness comes into heat every 14 days. There may be fertility issue, but it is a rare a case. In 2003, one lioness with such behaviour was spotted in Tulsishyam forest range in Gir east division. However, this is not a disease or any problem,'' head, conservation biology and animal ecology at Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India, Dr Y V Zhala said.