AHMEDABAD:
During the Raj, lion hunting was considered the most aristocratic
sport. No wonder then that the population of Asiatic lion had hit the
rock bottom under the British rule - there were just 12 lions left in
Junagadh in 1884. British journals of the 19th century show that the big
cat occupied a prominent place in the 'shikaar' stories.
A good 130 years later, a group of Britons feel it is time to payback. The ZSL London
Zoo has prepared a conservation plan to become a part of the efforts to
save Asiatic lions. "As part of international efforts to save the Asian
lion, ZSL London Zoo is planning a £5.7m project to increase the size
of its lion enclosure fourfold and fund conservation work on the last
remaining wild population in the Gir Forest National Park," said the
zoo's press officer Rebecca Blanchard.
The zoo plans a brand
new Asiatic lion exhibit for 2016. "We're investigating the different
ways we can get involved in projects to help save Asiatic lions in
India. We'll continue to play an important role in the European
conservation breeding programme for the species."
The project
for lion conservation, that is captive breeding programme, is the baby
of the ZSL London Zoo's zoological director, David Field.
The zoo director wants to increase the number of the lions from five to
12 in a new enclosure will allow the zoo to play a greater part in
captive breeding programme to prevent the subspecies from going extinct.
A team from the UK will chalk out a plan for coordination with the Gujarat state forest department for conservation efforts.
Principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) C N Pandey said, "A
team from ZSL London Zoo visited Gujarat five months ago. According to
their bylaws, the ZSL London Zoo will contribute funds towards
conservation programme of the Asiatic lion in its home range in
Gujarat."
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/130-years-on-Brits-to-make-up-for-lion-hunting-losses/articleshow/29459077.cms
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