Israeli safari donating lions, zebras to Indian zoo.

While hashing out details with Nandankanan Zoological Park, Safari happily announces surprise birth by rather ancient tamarin.

By Ruth Schuster | Aug. 18, 2014 | 2:03 PM

Lions at the Ramat Gan Safari Park. Photo by Tomer Appelbaum

The Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha, India may be getting two breeding pairs of lions and four zebras, not from Africa but from Israel.
The animals will be flown over to Mumbai by none other than the Zoological Center in Ramat Gan, as soon as the Indian zoo gets all its ducks in a row, the Economic Times of India reported today.
The deal isn't quite done, says Dr. Gillad Goldstein, curator of the Israeli zoo – which is more popularly known as the Ramat Gan Safari Park. For one thing, flying wild animals around the world is a logistical nightmare, involving endless permits from multiple authorities, which in this case is still a process in the works.
While the Odisha state government has given its blessing to the animal transfer, according to the Times, other issues remain outstanding, including the requisite permits from other authorities such as the ministry of environment and forests. Also, the Nandankanan zoo itself has to rebuild its lion and zebra paddocks to accommodate the newcomers.
The Nandankanan park has just one zebra. It does have two Asiatic and six hybrid lions already. But animal transfers among zoos are common practice in order to broaden the gene pool and prevent inbreeding.
Pit stop for lions
Assuming the regulators smile upon the idea and all works out with Nandankanan too, from the Mumbai international airport, the animals will be trucked to the zoo, which is precisely the other side of India - a distance of 1,700 kilometers.
One might wonder why the animals couldn't be flown to the much nearer airports of Bhubaneshwar or Kolkata. Sagit Horowitz, spokeswoman of the Safari, explains that first of all, there are no flights from Israel to Kolkata and also, from the perspective of the animals' comfort, it doesn't much matter.
"They'll be stopping for breaks at zoos, for rest and refreshment," she says. Moreover, throughout that long road trip, the animals would be accompanied by a veterinarian and a representative of the Safari.
The Indian zoo will be covering the heavy cost of transporting the animals.
The Safari isn't expecting to get any animals in return from Nandankanan, but does anticipate that this will be the start of a beautiful collaborative friendship.
Meanwhile, how did this come about? "Some months ago the Safari gave four zebras to an Indian zoo," explains Horowitz. That spurred a spate of interest from a number of Indian zoos.
Curators at zoos around the world stay in touch, reporting on "surplus" animals they may have, or animals they'd like to have. "The curators' jobs include shidduchim," says Horowitz.
Surprise: Doddering Tamarin has first baby
Apropos of shidduchim, the Safari today reported an unexpected happy event: their rather ancient cotton-top tamarin, had her first baby.
Tamarins, tiny monkeys of stunning beauty that could sit comfortably if unhappily in the palm of your hand, normally give birth at age three, not age 12.
"Tamar and her mate Ido are looking after their newborn and even though this is their first time, they seem to be doing this skillfully and successfully," said Sagit Horowitz, spokeswoman to the Safari. Ido, by the way, is five years old.
For all their diminutive size, the tamarin pregnancy lasts a whopping four and a half months. "Tamar, who came to the Safari from Holland 11 years ago, is a 12-year old female, and it was not expected that at such an age she'd manage to give birth," says Horowitz. She also notes that tamarins usually give birth to twins: the fact that Tamar had the single baby may be due to her advanced age.
Maybe that's also why Tamar is being so possessive of the kid, though it's already moved from her stomach to riding her back. She won't let Ido share in the care, but the Safari people believe he'll also start piggybacking the baby, as is the norm. Meanwhile, both parents seem to be a bit shocked: "One day they even forgot the baby in the enclosure when they went inside to their sleeping quarters and the zookeepers had to remind them of their parental responsibilities," says Horowitz.

http://www.haaretz.com/life/nature-environment/.premium-1.611093

Lions to be released in Safari.

Neha Shukla, TNN | Aug 13, 2014, 02.22PM IST
LUCKNOW: Being home to royal bengal tigers for years, UP, at Etawah safari, will give wildlife enthusiasts a peek into the lions' den too. The pair of pure bloodline lions (crossed with only Asiatic lions) brought from zoos of Gujarat and Hyderabad will be released into Etawah safari this week.

While a pair has already been released in safari in April this year, there are three more pairs kept in Lucknow and Kanpur zoo awaiting release into the safari's breeding centre.

"We plan to do release them as soon as we get nod from CZA," said PCCF (wildlife), UP, Rupak De.
Lion safari project has two parts — breeding centre and wildlife safari for tourists. Cubs born to pairs in breeding centre will be released in safari for tourists.

Lions are happy with humans around. "This is one animal whom you can look straight into his eyes and develop a trust. Though less dominant than tigers, they are friendly unlike striped cats," said superintendent, Gir national park, Gujarat, Dr Sandip Kumar.

UP also plans to breed lions to add to existing population in zoos. But to be a lion-breeding state, it needs to have in place a mating-plan for lions and scientific management of the existing population. More so because lions are not into "close mating".

Not only that cubs born to same mother do not mate but even those born to different mothers but brought up together share a sibling bond and do not mate except in extreme cases.

"That necessitates separating male and female cubs born to same mother or brought up together as soon as they are three-year old or matured to mate," said Kumar.

Tigers are solitary while lions are social. They live in a pack of 10 to 15 and hunt and eat together. The dominant lion has a big territory and maximum number of lionesses and cubs living with it.

"There is no incident reported where lion has eaten a man," said Kumar.

Lion safari and a breeding centre will be set up on 150.83 hectare of Fisher forest area in Etawah.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Lions-to-be-released-in-Safari/articleshow/40179868.cms

National Emblem: The Lion Capital.

Image: Chaitanya Dinesh Surpur

by Jasodhara Banerjee

Why was it made a national symbol?
The national emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital, originally found atop the Ashoka Column at Sarnath, established in 250 BC. The capital has four Asiatic lions—symbolising power, courage, pride and confidence—seated on a circular abacus. The abacus has sculptures of a bull, a horse, a lion and an elephant. In the national emblem, three lions are visible; the abacus shows a bull and horse separated by a dharma chakra; the outlines of two more dharma chakras are visible on either side of the abacus.

While Buddhist interpretations say the animals represent different phases of the Buddha’s life, non-religious interpretations say they depict the reign of emperor Ashoka in the four geographical directions, while the wheels depict his enlightened rule.

The capital was adopted as the national emblem on January 26, 1950. It was chosen as a symbol of contemporary India’s reaffirmation of its ancient commitment to world peace and goodwill.


Current Status
The national emblem is a symbol of the Government of India and is used on official documents; it is the official seal of the President of India and the Central and state governments. The symbol is recognised internationally as representing the Republic of India, and is found on all passports and other international documents.

The Lion Capital has received its due attention too. After being removed from the Ashok Column, it has been housed in the Sarnath Museum since 1910. It is kept at a temperature between 200C and 240C, and humidity of 45 to 55 percent. Placed behind a railing, it is guarded by personnel from the Uttar Pradesh police force. In 2013, the museum had 3.27 lakh visitors.

Although government officials were forthcoming with information about the national emblem and the Lion Capital, attempts to get an official quote got tangled in bureaucratic machinery. 

Read more: http://forbesindia.com/article/independence-day-special/national-emblem-the-lion-capital/38411/1#ixzz3BfZqRetl

'Consider Banni for cheetah relocation'

Himanshu Kaushik, TNN | Aug 11, 2014, 12.33AM ISTAHMEDABAD: The Centre has filed a petition in the apex court seeking review of its order dated April 14, 2013, directing translocation of Asiatic Lions to Kuno-Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. The review petition, however, only pertains to shifting cheetahs to India from Africa.

The Supreme Court in its order on translocation of lions had observed: "At this stage, in our view, the decision taken by the ministry of environment and forests for introduction of African cheetahs first to Kuno and then Asiatic lion, is arbitrary...a clear violation of the statutory requirements provided under the Wildlife Protection Act. The order of MoEF to introduce African Cheetahs into Kuno cannot stand in the eye of law and the same is quashed."

The MoEF, during the argument, had made reference to a study conducted by WII and Wildlife Trust of India on the programme to reintroduce cheetah in Kuno, on import from Namibia. The member of the Cheetah Reintroduction Group Divyabhanusinh Chavda said, "We have gone in for the review of the order only for the cheetah reintroduction part." He added that Rajasthan government had already refused for taking up the project.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has prepared a Rs 260-crore project for cheetah reintroduction. Nauradehi in MP, along with Banni in Gujarat, are some of the areas under consideration if the Supreme Court permits the import.

A Gujarat forest official said that cheetahs need open spaces. "They are comfortable in grasslands and Banni seems to be the best suited place in Gujarat. Besides, it also includes the Kalo Dungar area, which has a good number of jackals," added an official.

At present, Banni has a prey base of 14 animals per sq km. If the government decides to give cheetahs to Gujarat, the forest department would immediately start breeding chital and sambhar deers in the area to increase the prey base, an official said. Cheetahs need a prey base of around 30 animals per sq km.

On the other hand, a Cheetah Reintroduction Group official said that the main hindrance in Banni was the weed called gando baval (Prosopis Juliflora) which covers large parts of the area. Removing the weed would be a major challenge for Gujarat, he added.

Watch a Lion Hilariously Interrupt a PSA About World Lion Day.

On August 10th, the world celebrates a creature many fear and/or associate with MGM.

This Sunday is World Lion Day, a reminder of the creature’s importance worldwide. Lions have played symbolic roles all throughout history, but, with populations dwindling, the majestic beast’s time of dominance is faltering.
But the lion starring in this World Lion Day ad isn’t letting that get him down. As his handler, “The Lion Whisperer” Kevin Richardson, tries to create the video, he clowns around like nobody’s business, talking — or shall we say, roaring — over him.
This hilarious interaction is just one of the reasons why it’s so important that we all work to preserve the lion population.
To save the lions is to save our global heritage, according to the World Lion Day website.
The population numbers are staggering. In 1975, the lion population reached 250,000. Since then, the African lion has faced a 80 to 90 percent decrease in numbers, landing around 2,800 in total.
Essentially, habitat and prey loss, human conflict and disease have brought the African lion close to extinction.

An African lion (Photo: Wikipedia Commons)

The Asiatic lion has seen much worse. Caught off guard by hunters, in 1907 only 14 members of this species were left roaming the Earth. Not until 1975, when hunting was declared illegal, did the Asiatic lion see numbers rise.
Today, 411 Asiatic lions exist. A far cry from a healthy population, but it certainly beats extinction. However, disease is carefully monitored by wildlife organizations, since their populations are so low. Just one sick lion would have a huge impact on the species.

An asiatic lion (Photo: Wikipedia Commons)

But you can help by celebrating World Lion Day and raising awareness for the noble breed. Check it out to see if any events are near your neck of the woods!

“

RYOT NOTE from Alex

There are numerous ways to celebrate and help save lion populations. There a plethora of organizations you can support if you want to help the lions. Check out the page on the World Lion Day website to see all of them. You can see that page by clicking the Action Box and remember to share this story to Become the News!

http://www.ryot.org/video-lion-interrupts-ad-world-lion-day/779553

Small talk: Shot in the dark.

By Anjana Vaswani, Mumbai Mirror | Aug 10, 2014, 01.00 PM IST

Small talk with Ram Shergill

Days before his first solo Indian exhibit opens in the city, Ram Shergill says success requires darkness and dazzle in equal parts.

Drama, drama..." he snaps his fingers, strutting around as designer Sandeep Khosla chuckles in the background in a YouTube video of the making of India Fantastique, a two-volume book that celebrated the 25-yearlong career of Khosla and partner Abu Jani. "God save the Queen," an unperturbed Ram Shergill hollers, inspiring a bronzed Indian Prince dressed in underwear and a Zardozi stole, shielding his empress with a golden parasol.

The British-Asian photographer witnessed the magic that theatre could infuse into photography early on. Those who know him confirm that not only is it his middle name, 'Drama' is also the magazine he publishes in association with photographer Fabrice Jacobs. It's hardly surprising then that the pictures he is set to exhibit this week at Kaleidoscope, a forthcoming exhibition organised by Tasveer in partnership with Vacheron Constantin, should include whimsical images including a rainbow-painted elephant.

"The key to a memorable image, I feel, requires creating a rapport with the subject," says Shergill, who, interestingly was a student of psychology. He is not referring in particular to the prince-in-underwear, but tools of humour and music, he thinks, are indispensible to a photographer, because, "It's not always possible to spend much time with the talent prior to a shoot, and it's crucial that the subject is at ease."

Yet, 20 years ago - we imagine he'd love the Bollywood drama that line resonates with - when Shergill was toying with his first lens, and "fashion photography was championed by the likes of Corrine Day who favoured a hardedged, almost grunge aesthetic," it was a connection with his dark side that won him his first admirers. "I had just wrapped up a shoot with Selina Blow (British fashion designer) when she introduced me to Alexander McQueen - she called him Alexander the Great — and he said he was unimpressed with my work." The late iconic fashion designer then showed Shergill samples of images that stirred him, including two decapitated heads pressed together, and a naked figure wrestling a dog. They were from American photographer Joel-Peter Witkin's portfolio, and proved successful at haunting the young photographer for a while afterwards.

It may have been for this reason that, while working on a Jack the Ripper project for a University publication, Shergill photographed a leading London model in a deathly mask, dressed in dark apparel with feathered wings bursting out of her spine. "Adrian Clark, editor of London Mode, who was with trade magazine, Fashion Weekly back then, asked me if he could use the image on their cover. Quickly, the picture generated a lot of interest," he says. So, when Shergill next met McQueen, "at a fashion show I had snuck into as I didn't have a ticket", the rising star of British fashion walked up to Shergill to say he could work with him anytime. Since then, he has collaborated with famed Parisian couturiers Vreeland and Schiaparelli and photographed A-listers around the world including Naomi Campbell, who he reportedly taught how to bhangra, Amitabh Bachchan, Dame Judi Dench and even the late Amy Winehouse, working with whom, he says, was particularly memorable because "it was during one of my shoots at an American diner that she embraced th iconic 1950's look she grew synonymous with."

But, through it all, his work continued to evolve. "With every shoot, I learn a little more about how to get into the mind of my subject. I know it's a great shot when I begin to feel that the character in the photograph has started to reflect either an aspect of my own personality or the persona of someone I aspire to be," says the son of a mathematics teacher, who has astigmatism to thank for his first experiences with what he describes as, "a visual orgy," a renewed appreciation of all the colours he could see with complete clarity when the optical defect was rectified with a pair of spectacles. Offering us a peek into how he works, Shergill tells us about the time he snapped portraits of actor Cillian Murphy. "I watched films he had starred in, including Inception and In time and freeze-framed certain scenes over and over again to study his character." Typically, each shoot is also preceded by trips to art galleries, research, location recces and the creation of mood boards.

Currently excited about the London Zoo project which allows him to use his skill to save the Asiatic Lion, Shergill hopes to work with another Leo. "Leonardo Di Caprio," he gushes, "he has so many expressions."

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/others/sunday-read/Small-talk-Shot-in-the-dark/articleshow/39997426.cms

Gujarat CM meet Union ministers, raises pending issues with Centre.

Kapil Dave, TNN | Aug 9, 2014, 06.17PM IST
Gujarat chief minister Patel met Union minister for health & family welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan and requested that Gujarat is very keen to have one AIIMS-type institution in the state and alternative locations have already been identified in Vadodara and Rajkot districts. She urged Vardhan to recognize Gujarat government-run Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Programme at a national level and provide technical support.

She said that the government of Gujarat is setting up a Stem Cell Research Centre and GoI should extend full financial support to the state in this regard.

She also urged that Centre should establish a regional Institute and Research Centre for Communicable Diseases and Virology in Gujarat.
During her meeting with minister of state (IC) for environment & forests Prakash Javadekar, the Gujarat chief minister appealed to notify the eco sensitive zone for Shoolpaneshwar sanctuary. She also raised the pending Asiatic lion conservation plan submitted by Gujarat government to the Planning Commission wherein the state has sought Centre's funding for habitat improvement in the Greater Gir region in Gujarat and urged for its early redressal.

Patel also met minister of state with Independent Charge for Power, Coal Piyush Goyal and suggested that power from surplus states like Gujarat be distributed to power-deficient states in the South and the North and North-east to which Union power minister informed that GoI is in the process of revamping the transmission grid.

During the meeting with minister of railways D Sadanand Gowda, Gujarat chief minister urged him to consider the work of development/upgradation of important lines in the category of Doubling of Broad Gauge, Gauge Conversions and New Railway lines in interest of development of DMIC and elsewhere in the State. Gujarat is ready to cope up the traffic handling in the State, if our request is fulfilled by Ministry, Smt Patel assured.

Sabarmati railway station will start as second terminal in Ahmedabad during this year.

Gujarat chief minister met Union minister of urban development and housing Venkaiah Naidu and proposed that JICA loan for Ahmedabad Metro rail Project Phase-I shall be included as one of the points for discussion between Indo-Japanese prime ministers summit slated for next month in Japan.
Naidu apprised The Gujarat chief minister that GoI has principally agreed to allot land for new Gujarat Bhawan in the national capital.
Anandiben Patel tied Rakhis to all Union ministers she met and exchanged good wishes with them. She is also schedule meet PM Modi and ties him Rakhi.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Gujarat-CM-meet-Union-ministers-raises-pending-issues-with-Centre/articleshow/39953344.cms

Tiger’s future not burning bright.

Traffic, a wildlife monitoring network, says Malaysia and 12 other countries had committed themselves to a Global Tiger Recovery Programme in 2010 to double the population of wild tigers by 2022.

 KUALA LUMPUR, July 30: 

The future of tigers remains a big concern warns Traffic as many countries, including Malaysia, record an increase in seizures of tiger parts.

Statistics released in conjunction with Global Tiger Day are alarming.

Malaysia recorded a 6% increase in the 2010-2012 period with 18 seizures of tiger parts compared with 2000-2009 when there were 15 such seizures.

Out of this, only one seizure was a live tiger. The rest were just body parts.

The breakdown was as follows — bone and skeleton (1), carcass (1), claw or paw (2), skin or skin piece (2).

These, however, are cases that only Traffic, a wildlife monitoring network, is aware of.

According to Traffic, in 2010, Malaysia, along with 12 other countries, committed themselves to a Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP) , which aims to double the population of wild tigers by 2022.

One major goal of the 12-year programme is to effectively eliminate tiger poaching and trade.

The GTRP anticipates that tiger seizures may increase initially as the law enforcement effort is improved and scaled up, but by 2015 they should start to decline so that tigers and tiger products — parts and derivatives — are no longer evident in illegal trade.

Traffic attributes poaching, alongside habitat destruction and prey base loss, as the greatest threats to wild tigers today.

Poached animals are trafficked to supply persistent market demand for bones and other body parts. Many of these parts are used in traditional medicines. The pelts and body part,s such as teeth, skin and claws, are also used as decorative items.

A comprehensive report, co-authored by Traffic, was released this month looking at progress made by countries in implementing measures to protect the four species of Asian Big Cats —namely the tiger, Asiatic lion, leopard and snow leopard.

It revealed that parts of a minimum of 1,590 tigers had been seized in illegal trade between January 2000 and April 2014. This translated to an average of two animals per week.

“Overall, the estimated number of tigers represented by the seizures has grown since 2000, from below 100 annually to nearly 150 annually.

“With only 31% of these seizures taking place close to protected areas, it’s unclear how many of the parts seized in trade are from tigers of wild origin.

“But one thing is certain — that all international tiger part trade is illegal and threatens to stimulate a demand that would be devastating for the world’s wild tigers,” Global Tiger Programme Leader for Traffic and WWF Natalia Pervushina said.

The report urged countries to counter the growing use of tiger parts and derivatives as luxury items as a matter of urgency through targeted behavioural change intervention to reduce consumer demand.

Read more: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/07/30/tigers-future-burning-bright/#ixzz3BfM7qinZ

The co-existence of Gir's lions and maldharis.

Himanshu Kaushik,TNN | Aug 26, 2014, 03.48 PM ISTAHMEDABAD: The secret why lions have been flourishing in Gir has finally been decoded. Wildlife experts have found that it is the generosity of maldharis, who do not grudge the big cats preying on their cattle, deserve to be given credit for the steady growth in population of the Asiatic lions.

A study by YV Zala of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and his team says that the maldhari communities and lions of Gir co-exist in a win-win situation. A major part of the lion prey base is the livestock of maldharis while the community gains from free access to forest resources.

The WII study, 'Living with Lions: The Economics of Coexistence in the Gir Forests, India', done by Kaushik Banerjee, Yadvendradev V Jhala, Kartikeya Chauhan and Chittranjan V Dave reveals that Gir maldharis do not view lions as a threat. There had been no attack by the big cats on humans in the past two decades within the area covered in the study. Moreover, lions had attacked and killed mainly unproductive cattle (such as bulls, ailing calves, aged, and dying cattle) for food.

The study further states that the average annual financial loss per household for maldharis because of livestock lost to lions (after excluding compensation) was minimal (Rs 2,038). But the free grazing rights and the compensation at current rates were additional profits for maldhari families living inside Gir. The profit is approximately equivalent to a person's annual minimal wage for 213 man days.

The report further states that the study had not taken into consideration the additional benefits maldharis get by living inside Gir. These benefits include collection of fuel wood and minor forest products, use of forest topsoil mixed with dung sold as manure, free access to water, job opportunities with the forest department and maintaining their social customs.

The study reveals that the total revenue loss because of hunting by lions came to Rs 3.56 lakh per 100 live stock (in cases where government pays compensation. Where no compensation was paid, the loss was Rs 6.19 lakh).

The study further states that a family which had 100 heads of livestock annual made Rs 11.04 lakh per annum because it lived with lions. This was only where compensation was paid for livestock lost to the big cats. Where compensation was not paid, a family made Rs 8.40 lakh per annum.

Zala and his team have recommended that if removal of livestock is ever contemplated, it should be done in a phased manner so the natural prey base of the lions can be built up. However, removal of livestock was unlikely to be fully compensated by any increase in wild ungulate biomass. With a lion-focused conservation policy for Gir, maintaining livestock at the current levels or lower stock density could also be considered as an alternative management practice.
 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/the-co-existence-of-girs-lions-and-maldharis/articleshow/40918198.cms

Lion cub rescued from Gir-Somnath village.

Vijaysinh Parmar, TNN | Aug 23, 2014, 06.23PM IST

RAJKOT: About one-month-old lion cub was rescued from a farm well in a village in Gir-Somnath district on Saturday morning.

According to forest officials, a maldhari person spotted the lion cub in the farm in Dari village of Veraval taluka of Gir-Somnath district and he informed to local forest department officials.

Forest department officials rushed to the spot and rescued the lion cub. The cub was later sent to Sasan Animal Care Centre. "It was uncovered abandoned farm well and lion cub may have fallen into it accidentally. Now, we are in search cub's mother in the area and will unite the cub with his mother" said an official.

The incident of lions falling into farm well are coming into light regularly. Forest officials said that there are many wells which are not covered with wall around it. These farm wells need to be covered so that wild animals do not fall into it.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Lion-cub-rescued-from-Gir-Somnath-village/articleshow/40797345.cms

MP government to fund lion translocation on its own.

Neeraj Santoshi, Hindustan Times  Bhopal, August 16, 2014

First Published: 21:26 IST(16/8/2014) | Last Updated: 21:30 IST(16/8/2014)

The majestic Asiatic lions may finally find a new home. The much-awaited reintroduction of Asiatic lions from Gir forests of Gujarat to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary of Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh is all set to take off as the state government has decided to use its own resources to expedite the translocation of the king of the jungle.
The project was stalled following an objection of Gujarat government and a petition filed in Supreme Court. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India RM Lodha on Tuesday rejected the petition.
Unwilling to wait for the Central financing, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has decided to fund the project on its own.

"Though we have sent the proposal for funds to the Centre, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told me that MP government will spend the required money to make Palpur-Kuno an appropriate home for lions," Madhya Pradesh forest minister Gaurishankar Shejwar told HT.
"Lot of work has already been done and now we are readying for the rehabilitation of the two villages that would get displaced when lions come to the national park."
Earlier on April 15, 2013, the apex court in a judgment had directed that the lions be translocated to Kuno-Palpur in MP from the Gir Sanctuary.
Why translocation of lions As Asiatic lions exist only in Gir, where they number over 400, experts have often expressed apprehensions that high rate of inbreeding and less genetic diversity could make them susceptible to epidemics and make them extinct. In this light, a proposal was mooted to translocate a few of the Gir lions to MP in 2000.
Later, a study by the Wildlife Institute of India in 2006 identified Kuno-Palpur sanctuary as a suitable site for the translocation. Wildlife activist Fayaz Khudsar filed a public interest petition in the apex court in 2006 and sought translocation of Gir lions to MP.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bhopal/mp-government-to-fund-lion-translocation-on-its-own/article1-1252809.aspx

London Zoo unveils plans for walkways over lion enclosure.

Loud and proud: one of the zoo's lions has a kickabout (Picture: Alex Lentati)

Mark Blunden

Published: 15 August 2014

Updated: 09:16, 15 August 2014

Visitors to London Zoo could soon be getting a lot closer to its lions.

Bosses want to demolish the existing enclosures to build a “lion 360 experience” with high-level walkways, according to plans lodged with Westminster council.
It would nearly triple the size of the existing 750 square metre enclosure, built in the Seventies, and would also give visitors the chance to see primates  and vultures.
But there are concerns its size could impact on the zoo’s Grade I listed penguin pool.
The application, due to be heard by councillors on Tuesday, states: "The proposals would be to create a more naturalistic setting for the Asiatic lions, taking influences from the Gir Forest [in India], where the only population of Asiatic lions exist in the wild.

"The high-level platforms and walkway will be faced in a variety of materials, render, timber (bamboo) and corrugated steel.
"The proposal would enlarge the enclosure areas whilst maintaining the same site area of 7,695 square metres to contain Asiatic lions, primates and vultures."
The site was formerly home to the zoo’s cattle, sheep and deer in the late 19th century.
Designers revised the plans to minimise the impact on the zoo’s trees.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-zoo-unveils-plans-for-walkways-over-lion-enclosure-9670706.html

MP had plan to shift zoo-bred lions, looking at Modi's objection on those in wild.

P Naveen, TNN | Aug 15, 2014, 12.45PM IST
BHOPAL: A day after Supreme Court dismissed Gujarat government's curative petition against shifting Gir lions to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, top wildlife authorities in the state claim they already had a back-up plan to translocate zoo-bred lions from Gujarat, if Narendra Modi was possessive about those in the wild. The Gujarat government under Modi opposed the transfer tooth and nail in an eight-year legal battle.

On Wednesday, three-judge bench headed by CJI R M Lodha rejected the curative petition filed by Gujarat government against apex court's April 15, 2013, verdict allowing shifting of lions from Gir to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.

"We were ready with a project to shift zoo-bred lions from Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh in case Gujarat government refused to shift some from the wildlife sanctuary. Centre had sanctioned a special budget for this project which was prepared much before the curative petition was filed," said retired wildlife officer. Gujarat forest department too had agreed to shift three zoo-bred lions to Madhya Pradesh. But after the Supreme Court junked the curative plea, the Gujarat forest department may stall this transfer too.
Two days after the April 15 verdict, a decision was taken by the Gujarat government to transfer four lions to a safari at Uttar Pradesh chief minister AkhileshYadav's native Saifai village in Etawah district. Gujarat forest department had decided to transfer four lions to Uttar Pradesh, against the demand of 10.

Gujarat government also gave an explanation for its move, claiming that MP wanted lions from the wild to be translocated to a wild habitat for breeding while UP wanted shifting of zoo-bred lions to Saifai.

Madhya Pradesh's chief wildlife warden Narendra Kumar said lions will be brought to MP sometime soon.

In its first communique after Modi's swearing-in as Prime Minister, MP government had in June sent a proposal to ministry of environment and forests seeking a budget of Rs 79 crore to shift Asiatic lions from Gujarat. The budget includes Rs 20 crore for infrastructural development like construction of hospital and procurement of new vehicles and Rs 59 crore for relocation and rehabilitation of two more villages within Kuno sanctuary.

Retired chief wildlife warden H S Pabla said with the dismissal of curative petition all decks have been clear and there should not be any other problem in translocation.

A few wildlife officials in MP, however, claim there are more hurdles left as two Gujarat-based NGOs have filed separate petitions challenging translocation of lions to Kuno. First, a writ petition was filed by Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), a Rajkot-based NGO, which claimed certain facts were not brought to notice of Supreme Court. This petition was admitted in February. Last week, Supreme Court sent a notice to MP government to respond within a month.

Another was filed this month by Ahmedabad-based Priyavrat Gadhvi ? a bio-technologist and member of Gujarat State Wildlife Board. He claimed Supreme Court was kept in dark on importance of Madhya Pradesh's Kuno-Palpur sanctuary as an important natural corridor for tiger dispersal. Gadhvi said Kuno is a migration corridor for tigers of the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan to Madhav National park in MP. The petition has been admitted, but is yet to come up for hearing.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/MP-had-plan-to-shift-zoo-bred-lions-looking-at-Modis-objection-on-those-in-wild/articleshow/40306682.cms

Temples to desert on working couples’ itinerary this I’Day: Survey.

Exhilarating view: The Shivanasamudra waterfalls in Mysore district in its full glory ...

About 45 per cent of working couples in Ahmedabad plan short trips on holidays

Ahmedabad, Aug 13,

Tourist spots in and around Gujarat have become preferred destinations for working couples in Ahmedabad to flee on a quick holiday this weekend on ensuing Independence Day.

According to a study conducted by trade body, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham), places like Ambaji temple, Gir forest, Kutch, Udaipur and Mount Abu in Rajasthan, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli are among the top preferred getaway destinations for about 45 per cent of the working couples in Ahmedabad.

As per a quick survey conducted by Assocham Social Development Foundation, about 45 per cent working couples across Ahmedabad have planned for an escape for the extended weekend this Independence Day.

“The weekend starting this Independence Day on Friday gets extended up to Janmashtami on Monday (August 18) and over a quarter of working couples in Ahmeadabad have planned to make it an extended holiday and escape to the nearby tourist destinations,” highlighted the Assocham survey.

Assocham interviewed about 100 working couples in Ahmedabad to gauge their mood and plans for Independence Day weekend.

While many would prefer spending these days at tourist spots in and around Gujarat, those with hefty pockets have planned international trip to low-cost destinations like Thailand, Mauritius, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

When interviewed, many of the tour operators said they have offered special packages for working couples to cash in on monsoon tourism and with the long weekend coinciding they are getting a good response for the same, noted the Assocham survey.

About 45 respondents conceded they had planned their itinerary in advance, and about 35 per cent said they would relax at home and enjoy some good quality time with their family and the remaining 20 per cent said they have not made any plans so far.

“With work schedules getting hectic by the day, working couples in India impatiently await weekends and are thus planning to make the most of this extended weekend,” said Mr D.S. Rawat, secretary general of Assocham while releasing the chamber’s survey.

In some instances, the respondents stated that their companies have enabled work-from-home facility for their employees so that they can spend the weekend comfortably and complete their tasks as per their convenience without worrying much about the deadlines.

(This article was published on August 13, 2014) 

 

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/travel/temples-to-desert-on-working-couples-itinerary-this-iday-survey/article6313430.ece

Buffaloes gore lioness to death near Sasan-Gir border.

Himanshu Kaushik, TNN | Aug 12, 2014, 06.21AM IST

AHMEDABAD: An 11-year-old lioness was gored to death by a buffalo herd and her broken carcass was found by a beat guard who was led to the dead mother by her 18-month-old cub.

Forest officials were surprised by this unprecedented incident which was confirmed by the postmortem report, which pointed out that the lioness had multiple fractures in her ribs and had died of intestinal haemorrhage.

Such occurrences are rare in the wild. It took place at a hill top, some 500-600 metres from Kothariya village, bordering Sasan-Gir, where cattle grazing activity heightens during the monsoon season. "Usually lions die of infighting and natural causes. It is very rare to see the predator being killed by a herd of resilient herbivorous animals," said HS Singh, a lion expert and member of National Board of Wildlife.

On Saturday, Rana Mori, the beat guard, was on his round, when he spotted a cub hidden in the bushes. The strange behaviour of the cub drew Mori's attention. "As I got close to the cub, it started moving away and kept looking back to check if I was following him. After 30-odd metres, I spotted the carcass. I intimated my superiors and the carcass was sent for postmortem," Mori said.

Forest officials said the lioness was called Rupa by villagers and was a loner. Deputy conservator of forest Anshuman Sharma said, "The beat guard drawn to the carcass by the cub risked his life. The lioness had deep injury marks and her ribs were broken. The doctors were of the opinion that the big cat had died of injuries in the attack."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Buffaloes-gore-lioness-to-death-near-Sasan-Gir-border/articleshow/40086664.cms

Lion cub led baffled rangers to its mother's dead body.

Thursday 28 August 2014

Strange behaviour: the lion cub went to fetch rangers to help (Picture: Getty)

Experts were left flummoxed when a lion cub led forest guards to its mother’s dead body in India.

Rangers working in Gir, India, found the cub hiding in the bushes. When they followed it, they were led to its mother’s corpse.
The lion cub then guarded his mother until officials arrived to remove her body.
Anshuman Sharma, deputy conservator of Forests, said the cub’s behaviour was incredibly rare and something he has never come across before.
He told the BBC: “They are not like dogs, they won't shake paws or wag tails, but we believe they recognise guards they see every day."
A post-mortem examination suggested the lioness died during a fight with other animals.
Gir, in the Gujarat state, is home to the Asiatic lions that are watched over by rangers looking over the forest.
Cubs are dependent on their mothers for survival until they are aged three-years-old.
The 15 month old lion is now under constant observation of the forest rangers.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/lion-cub-led-rangers-to-its-mothers-dead-body-9664342.html

National Animal: Tiger.

Image: Chaitanya Dinesh Surpur by Jasodhara Banerjee, Peter Griffin

Why was it made a national symbol?
The tiger, long part of Indian mythology and folklore, was adopted as the National Animal by the Indian Board for Wildlife in 1972. It was selected over the Asiatic Lion because of its presence in larger swathes of the country (it is found in 16 states while the lion is found only in the Gir forest), the worldwide importance of the animal, and the need to protect it.

Current Status
There are 46 tiger reserves in India, spread over 18 states. The population of the animal is believed to be between 1,520 and 1,909.

Valmik Thapar, author and conservationist, says, “The ordinary Indian’s knowledge of the tiger varies across all the different slices that live. It is a love-hate relationship where some will worship it because of its connection to the goddess and others will kill it for its ability to kill their livestock. In urban areas there will be a section that would not care one way or the other and a section that will believe it is our god-given duty to protect it.”

Project Tiger, launched in 1973 under PM Indira Gandhi, aimed to protect the tiger population and, according to Thapar, has failed in its aim. “The efforts to save tigers have failed because of a lack of intelligence in the forest bureaucracy that govern these areas and have not engaged in any innovative conservation measures.” He advocates drastic reform in all sectors of government, and the inclusion of non-governmental players, if we are to prevent “a few intensively man managed populations that will finally get fenced in”.

This article appeared in the Forbes India magazine issue of 22 August, 2014

Read more: http://forbesindia.com/article/independence-day-special/national-animal-tiger/38417/1#ixzz3Bf7wPXii

The lionhearted women of Gir.

Sasan Gir (gujarat), August 11, 2014

Updated: August 11, 2014 22:17 IST

Rahi Gaikwad
 

Special Arrangment. Forester Rasheela Vadher with a rescued leopard on Sunday.

These forest guards have beaten the odds, in the wild and in society

It happened during a hot chase. In the wilderness of Gir, a leopard in pursuit of a jungle cat fell into a well. All efforts to pull it up were in vain. It was time for the last resort — the tranquilliser shot. It meant going down the well in a cage and getting close enough to fire a tranquilliser dart at the predator.

Rasheela Vadher knew it was her moment.

“The leopard chewed up the rope we suspended into the 40-feet-deep well. It was the first time I went down a well,” says Ms. Vadher, forester from Bhandori village in Junagadh district.

In her six years of service at the Sasan Gir national park — home to the Asiatic lion — she has rescued about 800 animals, including lions, leopards and pythons, that lay injured in wells and ditches, or strayed into human habitation.

“Initially, I was afraid, but now I don’t know what fear is. Male officials thought women could be of little service in forests. We were not assigned hard work. After six months of office work, I wanted to do something important. At that time, there were no women in animal rescue operations,” she recalls.

Ms. Vadher’s first test came when a lioness was found injured by a porcupine quill. With the wound festering, the animal had not been able to hunt and had become weak.

“We kept a trap cage with a goat, but the lioness did not enter. Adding to our worries, two other lionesses arrived on the scene with their cubs. It was a long wait of 12 hours. I told myself that if I left I would never again get rescue work. So I stuck with the team. By the time we got the injured lioness into the cage it was 5 a.m. the next day,” she recalls.

Ms. Vadher is part of a team of 44 women foresters and guards engaged in a range of wildlife and forest conservation, who were first recruited at Gir in 2007, when then Chief Minister Narendra Modi carved out a 33 per cent quota for women.

Never did she think that she would win awards, including one from Mr. Modi. “She has more award money than her annual salary of Rs. 60,000,” says Sandeep Kumar, Deputy Conservator at Gir. “At first, these women were full of doubts. Now they excel in every area. Now lakhs of women apply.”

The women have had to tackle more than the fear of the wild. Societal pressures about staying away from home and working with male colleagues remain unconquered battles. For instance, when forester Tripti Joshi got married, her in-laws objected to her work. “They wanted me to quit, but my father maintained that I would continue working,” she says.

A new dimension

The entry of women guards added a new dimension to human-animal conflict management. It’s the people, they say, who are more difficult than the wild beasts. Even so, the neighbouring villages of Gir regard these women in uniform with respect. Unlike some of their male counterparts, these women control restive crowds of onlookers without creating feelings of acrimony.

“No two rescue operations are same. The ground situation, the public mood is different,” says Ms. Vadher. From not knowing what a forest really looked like to saving ferocious felines from its depths, she has come a long way. A prominent scar on her right wrist, which she received after being injured by a leopard on which she was trying to fit a micro chip on, takes the pride of place. She received 15 stitches for it. “When my mother saw the scar, it was the first time she learnt about the nature of my work,” she says.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/the-lionhearted-women-of-gir/article6305295.ece

The real Mowgli: Russian girl, 3, survives 11 days and nights lost in Siberian wolf and bear infested wilderness

• Karina Chikitova saved by puppy who kept her warm for more than a week
• The child survived by eating wild berries and drinking river water
• The small girl made herself beds in the long grasses
• Sakha is also Siberia's coldest region in winter but at this time of year night time temperatures are slightly above zero
• Karina's mother believed she had accompanied her father on a trip
• It took four days for her family to realise the child was missing
  

By Will Stewart

Published: 08:06 GMT, 11 August 2014 | Updated: 09:30 GMT, 11 August 2014 

A three-year-old girl has survived 11 days and nights on her own in the Siberian taiga which is infested with wild bears and wolves.

Karina Chikitova was saved by her puppy who kept her warm for more than a week before leaving her to return home to summon help.

The girl survived eating wild berries and drinking river water in territory roamed by bears and wolves, according to The Siberian Times.

'Rescuers searching for her confronted a bear highlighting the extraordinary danger she faced', it said. 

Yet the worst she suffered were mosquito bites and scratches to her feet. 

Karina wandered away from her home in a remote village accompanied by her puppy whose name has not been revealed despite its heroism.

The small girl made herself beds in the long grasses, which are common in the summer in the south-west of the Sakha Republic, Russia's largest region.

However, the tall grasses made it impossible for search helicopters and drones to spot Karina who wore only a red undershirt and purple stockings when she was found.

Sakha is also Siberia's coldest region in winter but at this time of year the nighttime temperatures were slightly above zero, around 6C. 

Karina's mother, who has not yet been named, believed her daughter had accompanied her father Rodion when he left on a trip on July 27 to his distant native village.

In fact, the father did not realise his daughter had followed him with her puppy and she became lost in the taiga.

Experts say her chances of survival for such a long period were minimal.

Four days after Karina had gone her mother finally got hold of her husband and realised that her daughter was lost and a massive search was launched. 

Initially, Karina's family and the rescue teams were distraught when the dog - which has not been named despite its heroic role - returned to the girl's village of Olom in Olyokminsky district, some nine days after Karina had been missing.

In fact the animal's instinct to seek help was vital to saving Karina.

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Lucky: Rescuers hold little Karina Chikitova who survived eating wild berries and drinking river water

'Two days before we found Karina her puppy came back home,' said Afanasiy Nikolayev, spokesman for the Sakha Republic Rescue Service.

'That was the moment when our hearts sank, because we thought at least with her dog Karina had chances to survive - night in Yakutia are cold and some areas have already gone into minus temperatures. 

'If she was to hug her puppy, we thought, this would have given her a chance to stay warm during nights and survive.

 

The moment girl is rescued after spending 11 days in wilderness

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Found: The small girl is found sitting in the long grasses which are common in the south-west of the Sakha Republic

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The little girl's face peers out from the long grasses in the Siberian taiga where she was found

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Survivor: Experts say her chances of survival for such a long period were minimal

'So when her dog came back we thought that's it - even if she was alive - and chances were slim - now she would have definitely have lost all hopes. Our hearts truly and deeply sank.'

However, the dog guided the rescuers to the stranded girl.

'It was Karina's puppy that helped the adults find the girl,' said a report by NTV news.

'When it came back home two days ago her family had lost hope, thinking this definitely meant Karina had no chance.

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A psychologist with the rescue team said the girl's mind had not been hurt and that she was acting normally

'But then it was the puppy that showed rescuers the way to Karina, and in the morning  she was found.'

The television report said Karina 'was conscious and looked surprisingly well.

'She was given food and drinks, and then with her mother she was first sent to the district hospital and then to Yakutsk, the regional capital.

'She doesn't want to speak about the time she spent in taiga, or not yet. The only thing she said that she was eating berries and drank water from rivers.'

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Rescuers spent days looking for the child who was lost in the Siberian taiga which is infested with wild bears

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The taiga forests of eastern Siberia cover more than a quarter of Russia's territory and is infested with wolves

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The taiga is home to Russia's largest populations of brown bear, moose, wolf, red fox and reindeer

Nikolayev said the rescuers guided by the dog spotted traces of her bare feet and this helped them find her. 

'We began searches, thinking that if she had lost her shoes she would try and stay away from the deep forest, because there are a lot of sharp sticks there,' he said.

Suddenly with the dog's help 'we saw Karina siting in the grass', he said.

'We rushed to her, got her a little tea and grabbed her to run back to the car and doctors.'

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Nikolayev said the rescuers guided by the dog spotted traces of her bare feet

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It took four days to realise that Karina was missing and a massive search was launched

Nikolayev said: 'I carried Karina myself to the car, and she was light as a bird.

'She weighed hardly ten kilograms - but amazingly she was fully conscious.'

Ekaterina Andreeva, a psychologist with the rescue team, said: 'We can say that the girl's mind was not hurt.

She is talking, she reacts normally to everything around her.

'She recalls what happened to her.'

Amazingly she suffered no major physical injury though she has scratches on her feet.

She had been badly bitten by mosquitoes and other insects.

The taiga is home to Russia's largest populations of brown bear, moose, wolf, red fox and reindeer.

It is one of the most extensive natural forests left in the world.

Read more:

• Three year old miracle girl found alive after 11 days in Siberian taiga - thanks to her puppy

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2721673/The-real-Mowgli-Russian-girl-survives-11-days-nights-lost-Siberian-wolf-bear-infested-wilderness.html#ixzz3Bf6HEcCa
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World Lion Day observed.

TNN | Aug 11, 2014, 12.31AM IST
AHMEDABAD: The forest officers, staff and local community including eco-tourist guides at Gir National Park celebrated the World Lion Day with awareness programmes on Sunday.

Sandeep Kumar, deputy conservator of forest, Wildlife Division Sasan-Gir, inaugurated the function and addressed the gathering. He discussed the lion conservation in Gir. Shamshad Alam, regional planner, BCRLI project, gave a presentation on lions, its distribution, habitat, conservation status, problems and threats.

The participants expressed their views on the conservation of Asiatic Lion. Eco-tourist guides brought to the notice of the officials the pollution around national park, especially plastic waste littered in and around Gir. The officials also suggested to declare Sasan-Gir and nearby areas as plastic free zone.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/World-Lion-Day-observed/articleshow/40020238.cms

Special Names for Endangered Asiatic Lions in India.

By Rohit Daniel, www.indiasendangered.com | August 10, 2014


If you thought individual names were only for pet animals, you’re wrong! Forest officials – including the trackers and beat guards – of the Gir Forest National Park have a long standing tradition of giving the big cats in Asia’s only natural habitat of lions interesting and apt names based on their behavior in the wild.
Gabbar Singh is an adult male lion who was kicked out of his territory in Dhari recently after he killed two young lion cubs. Gabbar Singh apparently did not like the cubs disturbing him when he was trying to spend some intimate moments with the cubs’ mother.
Gabbar Singh, as the infamous lion is popularly known in the area (after a hugely popular villain’s name of an epic India movie), was named so after the lion got into fights with at least 3 to 4 lions in different territories before it killed the two cubs. It has since become nomadic after being driven out of his territory by another adult lion.
Gabbar has been moving around in search of new territory to settle down after the humiliating defeat. The latest report of the rogue lion came from Savarkundla when local villagers phoned the forest authorities and asked them to relocate the beast that had been roaming the area.
However, Gabbar is not the only lion to be given a unique name. Forest officials reportedly identify almost every pride by individual names. Other humorous but apt examples of such naming are that of Osama Bin Laden (not the terrorist responsible for 9/11) – the lion with a fearsome demeanor, and of course the Karan-Arjun siblings who roam the forest together, almost always.
This tradition of naming lions has gone as far as forest officials holding naming ceremonies for new born cubs such as the one held earlier this year for five cubs born to a lioness called Laxmi.

“Many feel that the lions should not be named. However, the beat guards and trackers who are closely associated with the movement of these big cats feel that naming the lions helps develop a certain intimacy with the beasts and also makes the men-on-duty  feel that the animals are part of their own family,” said Anshuman Sharma, deputy conservator of forest (DCF), Dhari range.

Sharma further added that the lions were usually named according to their individual behavior. For instance, an old lion in Dhari range has been named as Bhagat (or priest) since it has never hurt anyone nor has it ever tried to capture territory. The lion seems to be satisfied with its territory, and hence the trackers of that area thought it appropriate to name it as Bhagat.
The DCF of Gir West, Kasuladev Ramesh, echoed similar sentiments when he mentioned about an old lion living in the tourism zone. The lion has been named as Mullah because of its priest-like behavior. It hunts only for food, and it has never attacked other lions or killed any cubs.
However, quite a few lions have also been given peculiar names because of their distinct physical conditions. For example, Bandi – a famous lioness in the tourism zone – was so named because she had lost her tail. Beat guards have since always identified her as Bandi. Likewise another lioness called Dhari, also known as Langado, was so named because she moved with a limp.

Famous Gir lions and their Unique Names

Karan-Arjun: These two brothers in Mahuya have earned the nicknames of Karan and Arjun from local villagers since they are always seen together, even when hunting. Moreover, these two siblings closely resemble each other in appearance and also follow each other closely. Forest officers report that the villagers fondly refer to the duo as ‘Humare Karan Arjun’, or ‘Our Karan Arjun’. The names are again influenced by an Indian movie that has two of India’s best know heroes playing the role of brothers, Karan-Arjun.
Osama bin Laden or Atankwadi (Terrorist): These two names are quite popular for those lions that harm other lions not only from their own pride but also from other prides in nearby areas. A lion known as Atankwadi in Mityala is said to frequently visit territories of other lions and attack the lions as well as their cubs. These rogue lions are also known to attack young adult males of their own pride.
Collared: This particular lioness has been named by the locals of Liliya village as ‘Collared’ since it wears a radio collar around its neck which scientist attached for research purpose. The local villagers are so fond of Collared that once when she was caught in Gondal town when she wandered there, the villagers launched an agitation to get her back. Similar agitations took place when the forest department decided to cage Collared and keep her in Sakarbaugh Zoo. The people even wrote letters to the department. The lioness was eventually released and sent back to Liliya.
Roopsundari (Female Beauty) and Gulab(Rose): These popular names belong to two female cubs that are said to be very beautiful. While Roopsundari can be seen moving about in the areas around the villages in Savarkundla and Dhari, Gulab is a major tourist attraction in Sasan.
Tofani Kanudo: This is a phrase often used for naughty people, and also commonly found on the rear end of vehicles in Jungadh and Amreli. However, beat guards in the coastal areas of Rajula use this phrase to refer to one of the lion cubs in the area. The cub is reportedly very naughty and often goes missing, even forcing forest officials to launch search missions to trace the missing cub.
This article was originally written and published by Rohit Daniel, a contributing writer for indiasendangered.com. For the original article and more information, please click HERE.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/863155-special-names-for-endangered-asiatic-lions-in-india/?photo=2

Gujarat lions vanish from UP forest.

Binay Singh, TNN | Aug 9, 2014, 04.31AM IST
VARANASI: In one of its kind wildlife mystery, what actually happened to the three Asiatic lions brought from the Gir forests of Gujarat to Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary in Kashi Wildlife Division is still a mystery. Last counted in 1965, their number was 11.

Interestingly, even the Kashi Wildlife Division officials have no idea or recorded facts about the fate of the big cats brought to the sanctuary when it was opened some five decades back. "There is no record with the department about the disappearance of the lions," said a forest official of Kashi Wildlife division. "It is believed that either they would have fallen prey to the hunters or migrated to nearby jungles of Bihar," said the officer.

"As the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, was not in force at that time, there was no effective control on hunting of wild animals," said forest officer of Kashi Wildlife Division Chandra Shekar Pandey, expressing his worst fear over the fate of the lions. But he added he was not sure about the ordeal the lions faced at that time in the sanctuary as there were no records.
"Lions were released in that region years back and probably all those animals died. We do not have any records maintained of that time, so it's difficult to say what happened of them. Moreover, enforcement was not strong at that time and there must not have been proper planning to release them," said PCCF (wildlife), UP, Rupak De.

The concept of reintroduction for purposes of conservation of Asiatic lions was accepted in 1956 by the Indian Wildlife Board, and the offer of UP government to host a population in the Chakia forests was accepted. In 1956 a lion and two lionesses were captured from Gir and placed in a zoo in Junagadh for nine months before being shifted to Chandraprabha sanctuary in 1957.

Initially, the lions prospered increasing in number to four in 1958, five in 1960, seven in 1962 and 11 in 1965, but after that they disappeared. The forest officials admit that there might have been some shortcoming in monitoring the wild cats.

In other such translocation, eight Gir lions -- four males and four females -- were brought from Gujarat's Junagadh and Hyderabad zoos to UP under animal exchange programme. While three pairs were put up at the Lucknow zoo, one was sent to the Kanpur zoo. Later, one pair was shifted to the Etwah lion safari in April.

Spread in an area of 9,600 hectares of forest, the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary is located between Chakiya and Naugarh in Chandauli district, the neighbouring district of PM Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency. The sanctuary was set up in 1957, covering the reserved forest area in Chandraprabha and some parts of Jaimohini Range. The sanctuary has a variety of wild animals, including black buck, chital, sambhar, nilgai, wild boar, porcupine, Indian gazelle, gharial and python.

About 70km from Varanasi Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary are the picturesque Rajdari and Devdari waterfalls. The sanctuary is one of the Protected Areas (PAs) of the National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) that was adopted in 2002 emphasizing the people's participation and their support for wildlife conservation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Gujarat-lions-vanish-from-UP-forest/articleshow/39909984.cms

11 Asiatic Lions have disappeared from the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, in Kashi Wildlife Division, Uttar Pradesh. [Representational Picture]Reuters

By Soumo Ghosh
August 9, 2014 17:49 IST

The Asiatic lions at the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary, in Kashi Wildlife Division, Uttar Pradesh, have vanished, according to some reports.
These Lions were brought to this sanctuary from the Gir forest in Gujarat, and have lived here ever since. 11 lions were last counted in 1965, in this area. Their sudden disappearance has caused much alarm, and the reason for this seems to be a complete mystery to the forest officials.
"As the Wildlife (Protection) Act was not in force that time, there was no effective control on hunting of wild animals," said Chandra Shekar Pandey, Forest Officer of Kashi Wildlife Division, to The Times of India. "But, we are not sure what happened to the lions in the sanctuary as there are no records."
The officials say that they have never had a record of these lions post the 1965 counting, and are unaware of how they went missing. Of course, some officials believe that these lions might just have died out, and that their disappearance may not have been influenced by external factors, like poachers.
"Lions were released in that region years back and they probably died naturally," said Rupak De, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), UP. "We do not have any records maintained of that time, so it's difficult to say what happened of them. Moreover, enforcement was not strong at that time and there must not have been proper planning to release them."
"There is no record with the department about the disappearance of the lions," said an anonymous Forest Official of Kashi Wildlife Division. "It is believed that either they would have fallen prey to the hunters or migrated to nearby jungles of Bihar."
The concept of relocating some lions was introduced in 1965, so that the lions, whose numbers were on the decline even back then, could be conserved. The UP government had offered to host one set of them at the Chakia forest, within the Chandraprabha sanctuary.
Three lions were captured in the Gir forest, in 1956 – one male and two females, and were introduced to the Chakia forest. In 1958, there were four lions, in 1960, one was added to the group, in 1962, it was increased to seven and in 1965, there were 11 of them. A few other lions were also captured during that time and were transferred to zoos in Lucknow and Kanpur.

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/11-asiatic-lions-missing-uttar-pradesh-sanctuary-606479

Gujarat lions disappear from UP forest.

DDN Correspondent Posted on 09 Aug, 2014 at 11:05:AM IST

In a mysterious development, the three Asiatic lions brought from the Gir forests of Gujarat to Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary in Kashi Wildlife Division have vanished.

The lions were last counted in 1965 and there number was 11 at that time. Even the Kashi Wildlife Division officials have no idea or recorded facts about the fate of these lions.

"There is no record with the department about the disappearance of the lions," said a forest official of Kashi Wildlife division. "It is believed that either they would have fallen prey to the hunters or migrated to nearby jungles of Bihar," said the officer.

"As the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, was not in force at that time, there was no effective control on hunting of wild animals," said forest officer of Kashi Wildlife Division Chandra Shekar Pandey, expressing his worst fear over the fate of the lions.

"Lions were released in that region years back and probably all those animals died. We do not have any records maintained of that time, so it's difficult to say what happened of them. Moreover, enforcement was not strong at that time and there must not have been proper planning to release them," said PCCF (wildlife), UP, Rupak De.

In 1965, the Indian Wildlife Board had introduced the concept of reintroduction for purposes of conservation of Asiatic lions. The UP government at that time had offered to host a population in the Chakia forests was accepted.

In 1956 a lion and two lionesses were captured from Gir and were shifted to Chandraprabha sanctuary.
The lions prospered initially as their numbers increased to our in 1958, five in 1960, seven in 1962 and 11 in 1965, but after that they disappeared.

Later, eight Gir lions -- four males and four females - were brought from Gujarat's Junagadh and Hyderabad zoos to UP under animal exchange programme. Three pairs were sent to Lucknow zoo and one was put up at the Kanpur zoo. Later, one pair was shifted to the Etwah lion safari in April.

http://www.delhidailynews.com/news/Gujarat-lions-disappear-from-UP-forest-1407564058/