After Indian cricketer Ravindra Jadeja and his wife posed in front of a pride of Asiatic Lions at Gir forest, the Gujarat Forest Department on Thursday ordered an inquiry. The pictures have gone viral on social networking sites.
Jadeja, a native of Jamnagar district in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, had been on lion safari in Gir National Park and Santuary (GNPS) at Sasan Gir in Junagadh district on Tuesday and Wednesday.

During the safari, he reportedly got off his vehicle and posed for pictures, along with his wife, in front of a pride of lions. The pictures were circulated on social media on Thursday and acting fast, the authorities have ordered a probe.

“GNPS is a protected forest and tourists are not allowed to get down from vehicles while inside the jungle. But pictures showing the cricketer having got down from vehicle in the jungle and and having taken selfies with lions are circulating on social media. Even some forest guards are seen with him in photographs. Therefore, we have ordered GNPS superintendent to conduct an inquiry into the incident and file a report,” Aniruddh Pratap Singh, chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Junagadh wildlife circle told The Indian Express.

Incidentally, the GNPS closed down for tourists on Wednesday for its annual monsoon break. The sanctuary will reopen in on October 15 after the four-month break.