The farm owner and his partner had illegally tapped electricity without obtaining a connection and passed it through the fence erected around their premises, Mahuva Range Forest Officer Dilip Gadhvi said.

"The incident took place in Bordi village under Mahuva Forest Range where a lioness, in the age group of 5 to 9 years, was found dead on Thursday morning due to electrocution by an illegal electrified fence installed around a maize farm," he said.

Officials of the wildlife department under the Palitana-Shatrunjay division reached the spot and initiated an investigation, he said.

A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory and Gujarat Electricity Board also visited the site. The carcass was subsequently sent for autopsy, the official said, adding that a case will be registered under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act based on the report.

Decomposed lioness carcass found near Rampara

A decomposed carcass of a lioness was found on the outskirts of Rampara village in Una taluka on Thursday afternoon, prompting the Forest Department to launch an investigation.

After being alerted by the village sarpanch, a team from the Jasadhar Forest Department reached the spot and examined the carcass. Officials found severe injury marks on the lioness's face, hindquarters and rear legs. She was estimated to be between five and nine years old, and the carcass appeared to be about a day old.

Forest officials suspect the lioness may have died following a fight with a male lion that is known to frequent the area. However, the exact cause of death will be established after further investigation.

Wildlife movement has increased in the region in recent months. The Forest Department has intensified patrolling and surveillance. AM