Jay-Veeru Ni Amar Gatha
Parimal Nathwani
A tribute film about the pair, released with the folk song Jay-Veeru Ni Jodi.
Deceased
Jay
Also known as Jai · The Last of the Pair
c. 2015 – 30 July 2025
Born in Gir forest, Gujarat, India
Jay, also spelled Jai, was an Asiatic lion of the Gir forest in Gujarat, India, and one half of Jay and Veeru, the most famous pair of lions in Gir in recent years.
Jay and Veeru were named by Gir forest officials, with the lion enthusiast and MP Parimal Nathwani, after the two inseparable friends of Sholay, the 1975 Bollywood classic. For more than eight years they roamed together in the Tulsishyam range of Gir East in Gujarat, India, ruling an area that included Malanka, Kenedipur, Natadia, Itadi and Limadra. They were often seen walking and resting side by side and defending each other against rival males, and they became the star attraction of Gir; Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw them on a visit to Gir shortly before their deaths.
Forest officials believe the pair’s separation in 2025 left both vulnerable to rival males. After Veeru died in June, Jay was left alone and closely monitored. He fought on, but he too had been wounded in territorial fights, and he died on 30 July 2025. His death was mourned across Gujarat, and in 2026 a memorial to the pair was unveiled at Sasan Gir.
8+Years with Veeru
7Weeks he outlived Veeru
~10Age at death
2025Died
Profile
Identity
- Name
- JayThe name he is best known by
- Nicknames
- Information not available
- Origin of the name
- After the hero of the film Sholay (1975)
- Sex
- Male
- Distinguishing features
- Asiatic lion
- Weight
- Information not availableFor reference, adult male Asiatic lions usually weigh 160–190 kg
Birth & Family
- Born
- c. 2015Estimated
- Birthplace
- Gir forest, Gujarat, India
- Birth pride
- Information not available
- Father
- Information not available
- Mother
- Information not available
- Siblings
- Information not availableWhether Jay and Veeru were related has not been published
Reign
- Pride king
- Yes, with his partner
- Prides ruled
- Prides of the Tulsishyam range, Gir East
- Pride size
- Information not available
- Reign
- More than 8 years together
- Ruled with
- Veeru
- Coalition
- Jay and Veeru
- Home range
- Tulsishyam range, Gir East, Gujarat, IndiaMalanka, Kenedipur, Natadia, Itadi and Limadra
- Territory size
- Information not available
Death
- Died
- 30 July 2025
- Age at death
- About 10
- Cause of death
- Injuries from territorial fights
- Place of death
- Gir forest, Gujarat, India
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
JayName
After Jai, Amitabh Bachchan’s character in Sholay. Also spelled Jai.
Family & Lineage
Not publishedParentsGir lions.
JaiJayc. 2015 – 2025
PartnerVeeruDied in June 2025.View record →OffspringCubsCubs fathered with Veeru in the Tulsishyam range.
Life Story
- c. 2015
Born in the Gir forest.
- c. 2017
Began roaming with Veeru.
- 2017 – 2025
Ruled the Tulsishyam range with Veeru.
- June 2025
Veeru died; Jay was left alone and monitored by the forest department.
- 30 July 2025
Died of injuries from territorial fights.
- July 2026
A memorial to Jay and Veeru was unveiled at Sasan Gir.
Legend & Truth
A rare bond
Gir males usually pair with a brother. Whether Jay and Veeru were related has not been published.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of Jai’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of Jai’s life is coming soon
Documentaries & Features
Sources
- The School Post — Veeru passes away
- Indian Masterminds — Jai and Veeru die weeks apart
- Vibes of India — Gir’s iconic lion duo Jay, Veeru dead
- Vibes of India — Memorial for Jay and Veeru
Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.