A pair of the big cats brought over to city zoo; possibly the first in the state
The Rajeev Gandhi Zoological Park and Research Centre is now home to two Asiatic lions that came to the city from Gujarat around 15 days ago. The public will, however, have to wait to get a glimpse of the big cats.
“They have minor injuries and are in quarantine as required when animals are transported to the zoo. They will be open for public display in due time,” informed a senior official from the zoo on condition of anonymity. While he did not specify dates, he did say that the injuries were merely those which ordinarily occur while being transported in cages.
The zoo, while being home to other cats like a white tiger and a yellow Bengal tiger, has never had Asiatic lions. The exchange between Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden in Junagarh in Gujarat and the Pune zoo has therefore given the city its first ever pair of lions.
The lion is called Tejas, the lioness Subbi. These have arrived in the city after a follow-up of almost three years. After receiving permissions from the Central Zoo Authority, in March 2013, the city zoo had written to the Junagarh zoo for the exchange. However, since lions are the state animal of Gujarat, their relocation is not allowed without the permission of their chief minister.
Finally, a couple of months ago, the green signal was given. Subsequently, the zoo started making funds available for construction of an enclosure as per the norms of the central zoo authority. The enclosures are finally ready.
Pune zoo is said to be the first in the state to have received Asiatic lions. Although Borivali National Park has a pair, they are of mixed breed.
The big cats were brought by road amid all precautions such as regular intake of food and water and transportation with due permissions in a specially designed cage. Once they adjust to the surroundings in the city, their enclosure will be opened up for display.
“The facility is close to those at Gir National Park and is the only one with a recognised breeding centre. In the last 50 years, we have sent more than 200 Asiatic lions to different zoos. This is the only place where one can see pure-breed Asiatic lions,” informed a senior official from the Sakkarbaug Zoological Park who refused to divulge his name.
http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/civic/Gujarats-Asiatic-lions-find-new-home-in-Pune/articleshow/56427396.cms
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