The carcasses of three lion cubs were Monday found from the outskirts of a village in Amreli district near the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Forest department officials said.

Primary investigation has revealed that the three cubs, in the age group of 4 to 5 months, were killed by male lions during infighting between prides to establish dominance, said a statement from the department.

Locals had alerted the forest staff after spotting the carcass of a lion cub on the outskirts of Khadadhar village of Amreli district.

"Upon reaching the spot, the forest staff found two more carcasses of lion cubs from a nearby area. Forensic experts and veterinary doctors found deep wounds of canine teeth on their bodies. They also found pug marks of other lions in the area" the statement said.

"Carcass of a nilgai, killed by lions, was also found in the area. These signs indicated that the cubs might have been killed by other male lions during an in-fight" the statement said, adding that a panel of doctors would do post mortem on the carcasses.

Earlier last month, as many as 23 lions died in Gir forest reportedly due to infighting, Canine Distemper Virus and Protozoa infection.

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