‘Puncture Wali Sinhan’: Gir Lioness Becomes Viral Sensation for Deflating Safari Tyres

Ahmedabad: A young lioness in Sasan Gir has earned a mischievous reputation and the playful moniker ‘Puncture Wali Sinhan’ for her unusual habit of targeting vehicle tyres. Roaming near Devalia Safari Park, this feline has become a local legend for her knack for leaving safari jeeps stranded with flats.

A video capturing her antics has taken social media by storm, showing the lioness calmly strolling along a quiet forest trail before zeroing in on a parked safari vehicle. With almost professional precision, she pounces on a tyre valve, deflating it in seconds as tourists watch in amusement and disbelief.

Local guides and forest officials confirm this isn’t a one-time stunt. “She’s done this before,” said a guide familiar with the area. “Around here, everyone knows her as Puncture Wali Sinhan. She’s got a real talent for it.”

A forest officer at Sasan Gir noted that the vehicle in the viral clip belongs to Devalia Safari Park’s fleet. “This kind of thing happens from time to time in Devalia. She likes to get up close with vehicles and often leaves their tyres flat. It’s not an everyday occurrence, but it’s not uncommon either,” he explained.

Mohan Ram, deputy conservator of forests for the Sasan Gir division, suggested the lioness’s behavior could be triggered by animal scents on the vehicles. “If a jeep carries the smell of another animal, like a dog, she might react by scratching or clawing the tyre. The video seems to be an older one,” Ram told reporters.

Devalia Safari Park, nestled within the Gir protected area, hosts lions in semi-natural enclosures, offering tourists a glimpse into their world. While this lioness’s tyre-deflating escapades add a quirky twist to the safari experience, forest officials emphasize that they closely monitor animal behavior and maintain strict safety measures for both visitors and wildlife. In Sasan Gir, a flat tyre might just be part of the adventure!