'Puncture Wali Sinhan': Meet the Gir lioness who loves destroying Safari jeep tyres

Representative image: Credit: @shivya / X

A young lioness in Gujarat’s Sasan Gir has become an unlikely internet sensation - not for her hunting prowess, but for her peculiar habit of deflating tyres of safari vehicles. Dubbed ‘Puncture Wali Sinhan’ (the puncture-causing lioness), her antics were caught on camera by tourists, with the video now going viral.

The footage shows the lioness strolling calmly along a forest path near Devalia Safari Park before suddenly turning her attention to a parked safari jeep. In a swift move, she targets a tyre valve, expertly letting the air out as if she were a mechanic with a grudge.

Local guides and forest officials confirmed this isn’t a one-off incident. "I've crossed paths with her before. Around here, she's known as Puncture Wali Sinhan. She's got a real knack for it," a guide was quoted by TOI. A forest officer stationed at Sasan Gir added, "It's a common occurrence in Devalia. The lioness often gets up close and personal with vehicles, leaving their tyres deflated. It doesn't happen every day, but it's not exactly rare either.”

Mohan Ram, deputy conservator of forests for Sasan Gir, suggested the behaviour could be triggered by scent. "Sometimes, if a vehicle carries traces of animal scent - especially dogs - the lioness might react. She could have scratched or hit the tyre with her claw due to that. It appears to be an older video," he said, quoted TOI. He also added that the video appears to be older.

Devalia Safari Park, part of the Gir protected area, houses lions in semi-natural enclosures. While such encounters add unpredictability to wildlife tourism, officials insist safety measures are in place for both animals and visitors.