Gujarat chief minister Mr Narendra Modi attributed this rise to the concept of jeev daya — sympathy for animals — and the absence of poaching in the state. The last poaching incident was three years ago, he said.

The chief minister pointed out that the number of Gir lions could be slightly higher. “There is a margin of plus or minus 10 in any census,” he said. “Eleven lions living at the zoo and the sanctuary in Junagadh have not been counted in the census, they do not live in the wild.”

Mr Modi said no live baits were used for the census that was carried out in the third week of April, despite reports to the contrary. The census was carried out in four districts — Porbandar, Junagadh, Amreli and Bhawnagar. He was quick to point out that “this is the highest-ever population of lions recorded in Gir”.