Etawah safari may begin with deer, antelope next month

Neha Shukla | TNN | Updated: Sep 14, 2019, 10:03 IST

 LUCKNOW: There could finally be good news for the EtawahLion Safari next month. The state government plans to inaugurate the park, the dream project of former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, worth Rs 150 crore, in the first week of October which is celebrated as Wildlife Week.
Lying in doldrums since November 2016, the authorities are working on price of ticket and other facilities that would be offered to visitors in the safari.Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), UP, Sunil Pandey said the forest department would send a proposal to the state government to inaugurate the safari.
“Deer and antelope safaris are ready. We would propose to throw open the facilities to people,” said the official.
Lion safari in Etawah is a 350-hectare area. Besides, a safari and a breeding centre for lions, safaris for deer, antelope, bear and leopards were also a part of the project. Deer and antelope safaris were completed in 2016.

While the 150 hectare of it has safaris, it’s also the first in the country to have a lion breeding centre set up with an aim to develop a research facility on Asiatic lions.
Though visitors may have to wait for lion safari as CZA has fixed 10 cubs as the minimum strength for the safari and the place, at present, has only six cubs, the facilities that are ready like a 3D theatre would be inaugurated. Bear and leopard safaris may be the added attractions in the days to come.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/etawah-safari-may-begin-with-deer-antelope-next-mth/articleshow/71120176.cms

Construction, Commercialisation, Urbanisation Are Degrading India's Forest, Supreme Court Expresses Concern

Shweta Sengar 

Updated: Sep 14, 2019, 12:58 IST

As authorities give a go ahead to fell trees and clear green patches across the country for development projects, the Supreme Court has expressed concern over degradation of the forest area like Pachmari in Madhya Pradesh and Gir in Gujarat due to constant urbanisation and construction of high-end hotels.

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said that there is a need to protect the forest areas.

The bench observed that there is an urgent need to protect forest areas across the country as they are “finished” due to urbanisation and construction of five-star hotels for which politicians, social workers and even courts are responsible.

“The bench, which was hearing a matter related to eviction of lakh of forest dwellers and tribals across the court, also took strong exception over construction of hotels and resorts in Gir National Park in Gujarat and Pachmari biosphere reserve in Madhya Pradesh,” reported IANS.
The apex court made an observation that even tribals are transferring lands for building high-end hotels and commercial buildings, the court said, "The forest needs to be protected."

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There are strong protests happening over acquisition of land for metro shed construction in Mumbai’s Aarey Forest and uranium mining proposal in Telangana’s Nallamala forest.

The treasured Nallamala forests in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are slowly becoming a victim to humans’ greed to exploit the land for minerals. Forest dwellers and people from nearby areas have been protesting the Centre’s attempts to explore Uranium inside Amrabad tiger reserve.

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‘Jai Nallamala’ slogans have been echoing over the past few days as people gathered in large numbers to organise a road blockade as part of ‘Nallamala Bandh’.

While reports suggest that India has increased its green cover in the past few years, areas with smaller green patches are increasingly becoming victims to rapid urbanisation.
https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/construction-commercialisation-urbanisation-are-degrading-india-s-forest-supreme-court-expresses-concern-375744.html

Pride of Lions Found Roaming on Road in Gujarat's Junagadh, Video Goes Viral

An official said that since the area was a lion corridor, the animals are often roaming on the road and that it was a 'natural phenomenon'.

Vijaysinh Parmar | News18 India
Updated:September 12, 2019, 7:21 PM IST
Ahmedabad: On a rainy night two days ago, a pride of seven lions was spotted strolling on a city road in Junagadh. The video of the lion roaming was captured by a passerby and has since gone viral on social media.
Located 100 km away from the commercial capital of Saurashtra region in Gujarat, Junagadh town is located in close vicinity of Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary, which houses over 40 Asiatic lions.
“Lions often come out of the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary and are found roaming on the roads near Girnar Taleti road as it’s close to the sanctuary in Junagadh. It's a natural phenomenon here. This is a lions’ corridor and they come out during the night and return back to the wild. The forest department keeps a tab on the lions’ movement and if needed rescue the wild animals and release them back to the wild to avoid human-wildlife conflicts,’’ Dr Sunil Kumar Berwal, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Junagadh, told News18.
Gir forest in Gujarat is the last abode of the Asiatic lions in the world.
According to the last census of Asiatic lions, which was conducted in 2015, there were 523 lions in and around Gir wildlife Sanctuary in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Out of the total 523 lions, 33 were reported in Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary. “There are around 35 to 40 lions in and around Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary,’’ said an official.

“Girnar forests was once a part of a major forest ecosystem comprising Gir and Girnar. Gradually, urbanisation and economic activities caused by major agricultural expansion and industrialisation have separated these two forests converting Girnar to an isolated compact patch of forest habitat of 178.8 square km,’’ an official added.
https://www.news18.com/news/india/pride-of-lions-found-roaming-on-road-in-gujarats-junagadh-video-goes-viral-2306261.html

Gujarat: Leopard found dead in Gir forest

PTI | Updated: Sep 7, 2019, 18:26 ISTVadodara: A carcass of a female leopard has been recovered from Itwaya village under Jasadhar range of the Gir East division in Gujarat's Saurashtra, a senior forest officer said on Saturday.

The deceased feline is estimated to be nine-ten year old, according to Chief Conservator of Forests (Saurshtra) D TVasavada.

He said the canine teeth and claws of the big cat were found intact.
https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/gujarat-leopard-found-dead-in-gir-forest/articleshow/71025542.cms

Lion cubs from endangered Asiatic subspecies born at Edinburgh Zoo

Last updated: 6 September 2019 - 3.21pm

Staff say the coming months are crucial for the new arrivals..

A litter of lion cubs from an endangered subspecies has been born at Edinburgh Zoo.
The Asiatic lion cubs, born just three weeks ago, are still being nursed by their mother Roberta and are not yet on view to the public.
Staff at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo Staff are delighted with the new arrivals but say the coming months are crucial.
Roberta originally gave birth to five cubs, with three surviving.
Alison MacLean, the zoo’s head of carnivores, said, “Mum and cubs are doing well and we are thrilled, though we remain cautious as this is still a very delicate stage, with two of the litter sadly not having survived.
“Public viewing is therefore closed at the moment to give the family lots of peace and quiet.
“The three cubs will be weighed and sexed during their first health check in the coming weeks. We will also name them shortly after.
“Their dad Jayendra is being very affectionate and will stay with Roberta and her youngsters.”

The lion cubs are settling into life at Edinburgh Zoo with their mother Roberta (RZSS/PA)

Jayendra arrived in Edinburgh from Bristol Zoo in 2012, with Roberta following from Magdeburg Zoo in Germany two years later.
Asiatic lions are generally smaller than African lions and the males do not develop such a substantial mane so their ears are more visible.
They previously existed across south-west Asia but are now only found in Gir Forest in India.
The wild population is estimated to be only 350, with threats including poaching, habitat destruction, conflict with humans and a declining number of prey animals.
Mrs MacLean said: “Roberta and Jayendra are part of the European endangered species programme, with every birth being a potential lifeline and increasing the possibility of future generations being reintroduced into the wild.”
https://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/lion-cubs-from-endangered-asiatic-subspecies-born-at-edinburgh-zoo-11364390999228

Bodies of two leopards found near Gir forest

Junagadh, Sep 6 (UNI) The bodies of two female leopards were found near Gir forests in Gujarat on Friday.

CCF Junagadh D T Vasavada said that body of an around 12 years old leopard was recovered from a farm in Vadala village near Maliya Hatina range of the western extension of the Gir forests. The reason behind death was not yet known.

In another incident the body of another female leopard age around 10 years was found in Palakhiva revenue wasteland in Itwava village close to Jasadhar range of the Gir East forest in Amreli district.

The RFO and other field staff have checked the body for external signs and scanned nearby area.
Canine teeth and claw marks are present on the dead body. Primary reason of death looks like in fight with the lion pride that stay in this area. The body has been taken to Jasadhar animal care for post mortem.
UNI RAJ TV 2334
http://www.uniindia.com/~/bodies-of-two-leopards-found-near-gir-forest/States/news/1721243.html

Farmer sustains head injuries after being attacked by leopard

By Express News Service |Rajkot | Updated: September 2, 2019 5:03:50 am

Doctors took four stitches to sew together gashes left by the leopard’s paw.
“The person was injured by the leopard on his agricultural farmland at 4 am. He sustained minor injuries on his head,” Dushyant Vasavadas, Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Wildlife Circle, said.

AN ELDERLY farmer was injured after being attacked by a leopard on Sunday, while he was asleep on his farm in Nesda village of Una taluka of Gir Somnath district. Forest officials said the area falls in Gir (east) forest division and that efforts to cage the carnivore were on.

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“The person was injured by the leopard on his agricultural farmland at 4 am. He sustained minor injuries on his head,” Dushyant Vasavadas, Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh Wildlife Circle, said.
The victim was identified as Hamir Chauhan (65). Forest officials said that the farmer was asleep in the ‘osari’, the living space in a traditional Gujarati rural home. “The leopard pounced on the farmer and inflicted nail injuries on the elderly man’s head. However, the farmer raised an alarm and the animal escaped. He was rushed to a government hospital in Una town,” said J G Pandya, Range Forest Officer (RFO) of Jasadhar, Gir (east) forest division.

Pandya further said that Chauhan was discharged from the hospital later in the day, after doctors took four stitches to sew together gashes left by the leopard’s paw. “The injuries were not very serious and therefore, the farmer has been discharged from the hospital. We have placed two trap cages near the spot where the incident took place, to rescue the leopard which attacked the farmer,” said the RFO.
Gir forest and other protected areas — spread across Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts of Saurashtra region in Gujarat — are the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions in the world. The highly protected forest is also home to one of the densest populations of leopards in the state, and cases of the big cats attacking humans on the periphery of the forest are recorded occasionally.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/farmer-sustains-head-injuries-after-being-attacked-by-leopard-5957411/

Video of a lion eating grass surprises netizens, breaks a myth

Updated on : Saturday, August 31, 2019, 3:02 PM IST

By FPJ Web Team
A video that gone viral on the social media platform may have broken the belief- Lions never eat grass. A video that caught the attention of thousands of people wherein a lion is chewing green grass at Khambha forest area of Amreli district in Gujarat.

The lion ate green grass and then threw it out after chewing it for few seconds. The video made the netizens go crazy and write funny comments on social media platform Twitter about the video. A Twitterati wrote that he is forced to eat grass due adverse condition.

Another Twitterati connects the act of lion eating grass with the slowdown of the Indian economy.

To clarify the myth the forest department tweeted "Wild cats eat grass when their stomach is upset. This helps them vomit out some undigested food."

https://www.freepressjournal.in/viral/video-of-a-lion-eating-grass-surprises-netizens-breaks-a-myth