Hope ahead:The Mysore zoo has proposed to boost the captive breeding of Asiatic lions.— FILE PHOTO: M.A.SRIRAM
Renitha, a young lioness, to be brought from Sakkarbaug zoo in Gujarat under an animal exchange programme
Asiatic lions will roar again at Mysuru zoo as two big
cats from Sakkarbaug and Rajkot zoos in Gujarat are likely to make it
their new home soon.
Renitha, a lioness from
Sakkarbaug zoo in Junagadh, which breeds Asiatic lions in captivity,
will soon be brought to Mysuru zoo under an animal exchange programme.
“The lioness will be brought in the next few days as all the formalities
have been completed,” said Kamala Karikalan, executive director of
Mysuru zoo. She told
The Hindu
that a proposal was sent to Rajkot zoo seeking a male lion and the
officials there have agreed. “If this proposal with Rajkot zoo too
materialises, the zoo will get a pair of young lions and it will be
useful for us in stepping up captive breeding of the endangered
species,” Ms. Kamala said.
In return, Mysuru zoo will be giving a pair of black swans, two Indian grey wolves and a pair of sun conure birds, she said.
The
Asiatic lion is listed as an endangered species, surviving only in Gir
forest in Gujarat. Sakkarbaug zoo is well known for breeding them and
later releasing them into Gir forest.
Five
years ago, Mysuru zoo received a pair of lions from Sakkarbaug zoo
under the exchange programme. The lioness, Gowri, suffered a health
problem and did not recover fully despite constant treatment. Gowri
delivered a cub, which died sometime later. Gowri is now not displayed
to the public.
Mysuru zoo had Asiatic lions in 1989
but they could not breed. Rakshitha and Darshan, both of whom were
cross-bred, are the two other lions at the zoo.
Only a few zoos in the country have housed the Asiatic lion.
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