Another Etawah safari lion ill

Faiz Rahman Siddiqui | TNN | Apr 20, 2016, 01.22 AM IST
Kanpur: Another lion is reportedly ill at the Etawah Lion Safari.

Safari sources said on Tuesday that veterinarians from IVRI, Bareilly and Mathura, besides Kanpur Zoo are attending the ailing Asiatic lion named Kuber. Blood and stool samples of the animal have been sent to IVRI, Bareilly for laboratory test.

"Four-and-a-half-year-old Kuber fell ill on April 16. We have got doctors from IVRI, Bareilly and Mathura, besides Kanpur zoo, who are looking after the lion. We are also in touch with director of animal operations, United Kingdom's Longleat Safari Park Jonathan Cracknell," lion safari director Sanjay Srivastava said.

Kuber and lioness Greeshma had mated in April last after they were brought from Lucknow zoo. Thereafter, Greeshma gave birth to three cubs in July, 2015 which were born prematurely and could not survive.

The lion safari project of the state government has reported eight deaths so far, three adults (a lion and two lionesses) and five cubs.

Four pair of Asiatic lions were brought for breeding between April and September 2014. One of the lioness died in October, followed by a lion on November 16, both reportedly of heart failure.

Two of the lionesses gave birth this summer, just four days apart in July. Two cubs from the first lioness died within 24 hours of birth and another two of the three that were born four days later also died shortly.
Lionesses Tapasya and Jessica were brought to Etawah safari along with lion Pataudi under an exchange programme from Sakkarbaugh zoo of Gujarat on December 28.

In February, a two-member team from Longleat Safari Park of UK organised an exercise session for four pairs of Asiatic lions at lion safari in Etawah.It was conducted by Mark Kingston and Christopher John and aimed at making the animals active and smart. In the process, they installed high wire and pole fight on the safari premises and involved the animals in various games in the presence of safari staff.

The experts had also given tips to the forest staff to keep the animals safe and healthy.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Another-Etawah-safari-lion-ill/articleshow/51901704.cms

Lion spotting in Gir Forests

— By Anita Rao-Kashi | Apr 16, 2016 06:07 pm

Anita Rao-Kashi is memerised with the king of the jungle trotting casually in the forest of Gir.

It wasn’t yet dawn and in that hazy early morning light, much before sunrise, everything seemed dramatic. As the jeep bumped and trundled along the mud path inside Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Southern Gujarat, kicking up a sheet of dust in its wake, the trees on either side were a dark curtain behind which anything could be lurking. Or at least, it was fun to imagine so. It was also bitingly cold and comforting to huddle into thick jackets and beanies. But as the sun rose, sunrays filtered through the leaves and lit up everything in a golden hue. The forest also came alive and a variety of bird calls and jungle sounds could be heard. It was a unique symphony.

The only home to the protected Asiatic lions, Gir National Park or Sasan Gir as it also known, sprawled over 1400 sqkm. It was once the hunting grounds of the royalty of Junagadh and the lions were hunted for trophy. But faced with an alarming decimation of the lion population, the Nawab of Junagadh was quick to realise the necessity of conservation and took steps as early as the 1900s. It was declared a protected area and has enjoyed that status ever since. Inherently, Gir enjoys remarkable biodiversity of flora; as for fauna, apart from the lions, it is home to leopards, hyenas, jackals, nilgai, sambar, black bucks, chitals, crocodiles, porcupines, mongoose and at least 300 species of birds including vultures and many types of eagles.

But for me, it was the lions that mattered. I was told there were nearly 500 lions in the park and was excited to catch my very first glimpse of a lion in the wild. As we slowly drove along the rutted path, bumping and jostling, the forest enveloped us in its serenity. We saw spotted deer grazing by the path, ears alert for any movement; if they felt even the least bit threatened, they slunk away into the undergrowth or gracefully leaped behind bushes.

We moved on slowly, deeper into the forest, listening to animal calls and happily chirping birds. Along the way we encountered a couple of playful grey langurs swinging from tree to tree, colourful peacocks which darted into the underbrush, mynahs, bulbuls and drongos. As the sun rose further into the sky, everything was clear and bright and the chill vanished.

With eyes peeled we trundled along the jungle paths, and I was beginning to feel despondent. The forest was beautiful and there were many creatures we chanced upon, but the lion had stubbornly stayed away. However, suddenly the guide’s walkie-talkie cackled and he was quietly informed of a sighting. Excitement ratcheted several notches as the jeep raced along, kicking up a thick curtain of dust behind. As we rounded a bend in the path, there in front of us were two males, strutting out from behind a row of trees. The two seemed to uncannily blend in with the ground and the dried vegetation. And yet, there was no way to miss them.

The scene was certainly riveting, electrifying even. The two walked around, at a safe distance from us. They stared for a few moments and then gracefully settled down, with their backs to us, tails swishing occasionally. Both of them were fabulous specimen of their ilk; majestic, lithe and full of rippling muscles, golden brown with slightly darker but luxurious manes and glorious symmetry. For a moment, I was reminded of Aslan, the main character in CS Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series. I half expected one of them to start talking!

All around me, except for a few excited murmurs from a couple of other jeeps and the incessant clicking of cameras, there was absolute stillness. No breeze blew and nothing stirred; no creature or bird made a sound. All the clichés of the lion being the king of the forest seemed to come true and the two appeared to hold sway over everything. A couple of times, one of them turned around and looked straight at us. His eyes were luminous, bright and piercing, and the gaze was compelling, hypnotizing even.

I could have stood there and gazed at the magnificent creatures forever, but they must have got bored of the scenery. Both got up and wandered around for a few seconds, all regal and elegant in their gait, and then quietly vanished behind the foliage. The forest provided the perfect camouflage and a few seconds later, it was as if the pair had been a figment of my imagination.

Reluctantly, the jeep turned away and we wandered around the jungle for some more time. But nothing else held interest any more after what we had just seen. As the sun got harsher, the safari wound down. I had expected it to be anti-climactic but the image of the two beasts were etched in my mind and stayed with me for a long time after I had left the jungle behind. As images go, that was a pretty hard one to beat.
http://www.freepressjournal.in/lion-spotting-in-gir-forests/827317

8 blue bulls found dead in Amreli village

TNN | Apr 15, 2016, 12.33 AM ISTRajkot: At least eight blue bulls (nilgais) were found dead in a farm in Khadadhar village of Amreli district's Khambha taluka on Thursday afternoon.

Forest department officials, who rushed to the spot, suspect that the animals may have died after consuming contaminated water mixed with fertilizer.

According to sources, the bodies of blue bulls were found in the farm owned by one Valji Kalsaria. Forest officials took custody of the dead animals and sent them for postmortem to ascertain the exact cause of their deaths.
"Primarily, it seems that the water which the animals drank may have contained urea. Farmers around Gir Sanctuary mix urea into water to ward off blue bulls and wild boars that destroy their crop. However, it is dangerous to use urea in water as other animals like lions may also consume it," said an official.

Khadadhar village is located on the border of Gir Wildlife Sanctuary which houses Asiatic lions. In the past, lions have also died after drinking water containing urea in villages around Khambha. "Wild animals are found mostly on private lands. Moreover, this is summer time and water sources have dried up. So, the animals consume water from the private water points set up in the farms," added an official.

The dead blue bulls were taken to Jasadhar Animal Care Centre for post mortem.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/8-blue-bulls-found-dead-in-Amreli-village/articleshow/51833618.cms

Finally, Gir lions roar in Pipli zoo

Apr 14, 2016, 01.12 AM ISTChandigarh: The prolonged wait of Geet and Sakshi -- a pair of Asiatic lions brought from Gujarat in December last year -- to roar in front of animal lovers visiting the Pipli zoo in Kurukshetra, came to an end on Wednesday when the state's forest department formally inaugurated their enclosures for the public. It was for the first time that Asiatic lions have been brought in the state's zoo.
The pair of big cats from Gujarat's Gir Forest were not displayed to the public so far on account of delay from chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who could not spare time to inaugurate the renovated zoo, due to violence in the state during the Jat reservation stir, and the assembly session. Even the renovated zoo was inaugurated on Wednesday by the state forest minister Rao Narbir Singh to avoid further delay.

The animals were brought via road by the state wildlife department in the third week of December last year, after clearance from the Central Zoo Authority of India and the Gujarat government. Spread over 27 acres of land along the National Highway-1 in Kurukshetra, the Pipli zoo was established in 1982, and is one of the three maintained zoos of the state wildlife department. It was recognized as a mini zoo by the Central Zoo Authority of India in August 2005.

Besides getting new enclosures for rare creatures, the renovated zoo has also an enclosure each for leopard, hippo, crocodile, jackal, and hyena. It has one aviary which houses the red jungle fowl, francolins, and a few species of exotic birds separately, and an enclosure that has deer and antelope species, such as black buck, sambhar, and cheetal. Most of these enclosures have been renovated with enhanced suitability at a cost of around rupees two crore, as per the plan approved by the Central Zoo Authority of India in New Delhi. A modern interpretation centre has also been established to provide information to visitors on the conservation needs of biodiversity and wildlife.

Dr Amarinder Kaur, principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden of Haryana, said that the renovated zoo at Pipli would not only entertain visitors, but also be helpful in research on various aspects of ecology, habits, and behaviour of wild animals and birds. Dr Kaur added that in order to involve the public -- particularly women in wildlife and environment conservation -- space has been provided to members of self-help groups at the zoo, where they can display their exhibits and sell their products.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Finally-Gir-lions-roar-in-Pipli-zoo/articleshow/51818141.cms

Asiatic lioness, stranded on islet, found dead

By: Express News Service | Rajkot | Updated: April 12, 2016 9:56 pm Forest officers said they were still wondering as to how the lioness, believed to be around four years old, might have reached the islet. (Source: Gujarat forest department) An Asiatic lioness died on Tuesday while trying to return to the mainland after venturing into the sea to reach a tiny island some 2.5 km off Amreli coast, Gujarat.
Forest officers were informed on Monday that a lioness was spotted on the tiny island, measuring around one hectare, off the coast of Doliya village in Amreli. Forest guards and rescuers went to the island on boats but could not rescue the stranded lioness. Eventually, her carcass was found on the Doliya coast on Tuesday morning.

“Our staff spotted the lioness on the island but couldn’t rescue it on Monday. The animal was too weak and tranquilising her was not an option as we feared that she can run into the sea after being shot with a tranquiliser dart as the area was too small. We gave her food and water and were waiting for her to return to the shore at low tide. But we found her carcass on Tuesday morning,” Ganga Sharan Singh, deputy conservator of Bhavnagar told The Indian Express.
Forest officers said they were still wondering as to how the lioness, believed to be around four years old, might have reached the islet.
“We believe it could have gone there during low tide and was left stranded. We are still not sure if the carcass recovered this morning is that of the lioness which was spotted on the island,” the DCF further said.
Asiatic lions, which are endangered species, are not known to be great swimmers. Though they have settled in the coastal areas of Rajula and Jafrabad taluka of Amreli and Mahuva of Bhavnagar, there are no known records of them having swam across the sea to reach an island.
“A lioness had reached Nagva beach in Diu many years ago. But there were cubs with her and therefore it was concluded that she couldn’t have swam to Diu, but might have taken the road that connects Diu to Gujarat. Lions have been spotted on coastline but not on islands,” said Bhushan Pandya, a wildlife conservationist who has been studying Gir forest for the last three decades.
Gir forest and other protected areas in Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts are the only natural habitat of endangered Asiatic lions. It is the only place in the world outside Africa where lions are found in the wild. The 2015 lion census had pegged the number of Asiatic lions at 523.
Pandya, who is also a member of Gujarat state wildlife board, further said that while lions can swim, the lioness could have died after experiencing hypothermia or due to some injury while trying to swim back to shore.
The DCF said that they were waiting for the post-mortem report of the animal.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/asiatic-lion-lioness-stranded-dead/

Three lions kill woman in Amreli; one big cat caged

By: Express News Service | Rajkot | Updated: April 12, 2016 1:02 am

Three lions attacked a family when they were asleep and killed the mother. (File/Express Photo) An elderly woman was allegedly attacked and killed by Asiatic lions in Bharad village in Dhari taluka of Amreli late on Sunday night even as forest rangers caged one of the big cats within hours.
The incident took place 11:45 pm on Sunday when Labhu Solanki and a few others were asleep in the open on an agricultural field in Bharad village, some eight kilometres away from Dhari town and bordering Gir East forest. Labhu’s son Manju told police that three lions attacked them when they were asleep and killed her mother.

The big cats also ate away parts of the woman’s body, police said.

After coming to know about the incident, forest officers rushed to the spot and caged a sub-adult lioness from the area. “Efforts are on to rescue other lions as well. A pride of 12 lions lives in the area. We shall match pug-marks found near the body of the woman with that of the caged lioness to ascertain if the one which has been caught killed the woman,” deputy conservator of forests (DCF) of Gir East, Karuppasamy told The Indian Express.
Police said that the woman, who is a native of Samadhiyala village in nearby Khambha taluka of Amreli was working as an agricultural labourer along with her family-members. This is second attack on human being by Asiatic lion in Amreli in less than a month. A 54-year-old labourer was killed allegedly by lions while he was sleeping in the open on an agricultural field in Ambardi village of Dhari on March 19.
“It is unusual for lions to attack human beings and eat their bodies. The labourers in Bharad village were sleeping on the ground with their bodies wrapped in blankets. Therefore, we suspect, the lions could have mistaken the woman for some animal. The lioness which has been caged is around 1.5 year-old, the age when these cats learn hunting,” the DCF further said.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/gujarat-gir-lions-kill-woman-in-amreli/#sthash.tdL26d5w.dpuf

After coming to know about the incident, forest officers rushed to the spot and caged a sub-adult lioness from the area. “Efforts are on to rescue other lions as well. A pride of 12 lions lives in the area. We shall match pug-marks found near the body of the woman with that of the caged lioness to ascertain if the one which has been caught killed the woman,” deputy conservator of forests (DCF) of Gir East, Karuppasamy told The Indian Express.
Police said that the woman, who is a native of Samadhiyala village in nearby Khambha taluka of Amreli was working as an agricultural labourer along with her family-members. This is second attack on human being by Asiatic lion in Amreli in less than a month. A 54-year-old labourer was killed allegedly by lions while he was sleeping in the open on an agricultural field in Ambardi village of Dhari on March 19.
“It is unusual for lions to attack human beings and eat their bodies. The labourers in Bharad village were sleeping on the ground with their bodies wrapped in blankets. Therefore, we suspect, the lions could have mistaken the woman for some animal. The lioness which has been caged is around 1.5 year-old, the age when these cats learn hunting,” the DCF further said.
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/gujarat-gir-lions-kill-woman-in-amreli/

Encounters in the wild

Reshma Ravishanker, April 10, 2016

Gir Forest
The sun was on the horizon. The sky had a light hue of the crimson. I had to start my 3-hour journey from Somnath Temple to the Gir forest at sunset. On the one hand, I did not want to miss the sunset on the beach, on the other, I had to reach my destination on time.

I was part of a group of travel writers invited by the Gujarat Tourism on a familiarisation trip. Tucked away deep into the lion safari camp of Gir forest was a cluster of tented accommodations by the Camps of India, where my stay was planned for the night.

Walking on the gravel road, occasionally making noises to keep reptiles at bay, I headed to my tent. The full moon was spilling light on the forest area. The camp manager had advised against stepping out at night, come what may. “There is a stream close by, but going there is prohibited as there are crocodiles,” he had cautioned. “Don’t worry, I will be walking around in the night. You can sleep peacefully,” came the comforting words from a caretaker.

The unfamiliar noises from the jungle had been a background score all night long. It was not the alarm that woke me up. What most of my fellow travellers termed as a “loud noise” had me out of slumber way before dawn. It was 5 am. I had to set out into the jungle before 6 am. Sipping some piping hot tea in the camp, an impromptu discussion kicked off about the “loud noise”. Even as I knew a better term to describe the sound, I was not sure if the guess would be right. “Yes, that was a lion’s roar. It must have been around the place last night,” said the guide, only to leave me with goosebumps.

A 10-minute drive was what it took to the Sasan Gir forest safari. I had packed light cotton clothes for the trip anticipating high temperatures in Gujarat. Little did I know that it would be biting cold in the morning. When I entered the Sasan Gir forest in an open jeep, there was a slight orange tint to the muddy trail at sunrise.

The spotted deer and sambar were the first animals I could spot on entering the forest. Busy having their morning meal, these animals looked up only occasionally. By now, peacocks did not hold any surprises. They were plenty in number. The safari driver said that if I was fortunate, I would also be able to spot cheetahs or leopards. Unfortunately, I did not.

It had been an hour since I entered the Sasan Gir Forest, and had not spotted even one Asiatic lion yet. “Every time I take this path, I spot at least one. If luck is on your side, even you might,” said the driver, oozing optimism.

In all the excitement, I had failed to note that travelling through the mud path had left a thick layer of dust on my face and clothes. The streams and ponds, that I happened to pass on my way, barely had any water. These were the most common places to spot the lion, I was told. Dave, the forest official who had accompanied me, said they had also built large tanks to supplement the animals’ water needs during summer.

The jeep that was ahead of mine stopped at a junction. Everyone was curiously peeping out in one direction. The guide pointed at the surface. “Pugmarks!” someone shouted. They were about the size of human fists. Before I could react, the driver told me that they were pugmarks of an Asiatic lion, but not an adult one. “That is almost as big as a human palm,” he remarked.

I had grown more optimistic by then. Scattered skulls of cattle and bones dotted the sides of the road. For locals, it was a common sight. It was astonishing to see the fearlessness with which the trackers and forest officials travelled alone inside the forest.
Two jeeps were parked in a corner. It was the most awaited moment. Two Asiatic lions stood at a distance of about 20 feet. Giant and majestic. I fell short of words to describe how handsome they looked.

“It is rare to spot two male lions in the same place. They usually don’t like entering each other’s territory,” Dave said. Trackers were at a close distance. While I stayed there for about 15 minutes, the lions appeared least interested in all the drama. They sat with their backs toward me. I had seen the majestic animal caged in zoos and tamed in circuses as a child. However, to see the royal Asiatic lion, in its original habitat, is a different experience altogether. A fully-grown lion, the safari driver told us, would measure at least 7 feet in length. This one, I estimated was close to the same.
As the two lions headed back into the forest, I was left with the experience of a lifetime.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/539469/encounters-wild.html

Thirteen's NATURE to Premiere 'India's Wandering Lions', 4/13

April 6

8:14 2016

👤by TV News Desk

In India's westernmost state, Gujarat, the Asiatic lion has been making a comeback after being HUNTED for centuries to the brink of extinction. Today these cats are only found in Gujarat, thanks to a hunting ban imposed decades ago when their numbers had dropped to a mere 20. The population has now increased to over 500.
But with success comes a downside: the Gir Forest Sanctuary, home to the Asiatic lions, has reached its natural capacity. Now, many are leaving the reserve. Lions are also leaving because dairy farmers no longer bring their herds to graze there, and the lions, which preyed upon the cattle, have lost a major food source.
As the film explains, many farmers believe the big cats followed them out of the forest as lions are now making their homes on the outskirts of rural villages. But rather than view the lions as predators, farmers see them as valued members of the community.
As many small communities and lion prides have become neighbors, they have joined forces in an unusual experiment. The lions - which roam remarkably freely among the populace -- protect the farmers' fields from raids by nocturnal deer and antelope, which in turn provide the pride with hearty meals. These Asiatic lions have adapted their hunting techniques, previously used on open plains, to work alongside people in rural farmlands. Whether this new relationship between humans and predators can succeed in the long-term is unknown, but with lions having made a comeback from near extinction, it's a promising start.
India's Wandering Lions describes how the lions are getting special protection, what their lives are like, how they deal with other wildlife, and the interesting new partnership that has developed between the lions and people. The film airs Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). After the broadcast, the episode will be available for online streaming atpbs.org/nature. Watch a clip below:
Given the rarity of these wild Asiatic lions in the world, wildlife rescue teams are on call around the clock in Gujarat to respond to any reports of injuries to the animals. The program shows sick lions being brought to rescue centers where their conditions are assessed and treatments begun. But in addition to medical issues, some of these rare animals are also brought to the rescue center for reasons of public safety. One lioness is brought in because she killed a man. Her fate, however, isn't quickly decided until the motive behind the attack is investigated.
Filmmakers use thermal cameras to track the movements of the lions, their cubs, and other wildlife who make their home outside the reserve because most lions who live near people are almost completely nocturnal. These infrared cameras capture members of the pride on the prowl through farmlands looking for their next meal and heading down the road towards the villages where the locals just accept the fact that the carnivores sometimes kill their cattle. As the film shows, villagers gather to watch a lion return to a kill to finish its meal and there are no signs of aggression shown by the wild predator. Although there's no retribution for the kill, the forest rangers and residents need to know where the lions are and what they might do next.
Nature is a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. For Nature, Fred Kaufman is executive producer. India's Wandering Lions isproduced by Ammonite Films & Kosmik Global Media Pvt. Ltd. in association with Earth Touch.
Nature pioneered a television genre that is now widely emulated in the broadcast industry. Throughout its history, Nature has brought the natural world to millions of viewers. The series has been consistently among the most-watched primetime series on public television.
Nature has won more than 700 honors from the television industry, the international wildlife film communities and environmental organizations, including 16 Emmys and three Peabodys. The series received two of wildlife film industry's highest honors: the Christopher Parsons Outstanding Achievement Award given by the Wildscreen Festival and the Grand Teton Award given by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. The International Wildlife Film Festival honoredNature executive producer Fred Kaufman with its Lifetime Achievement Award for Media.
PBS.org/nature is the award-winning web companion to Nature, featuring streaming episodes, filmmaker interviews, teacher's guides and more.
Support for this Nature program was made possible in part by the Arnhold Family in memory of Clarisse Arnhold, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, the Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, the Lillian Goldman Charitable Trust, the Filomen M. D'Agostino Foundation, the Arlene and Milton D. Berkman Philanthropic Fund, Sandra Atlas Bass, Rosalind P. Walter, Bradley L. Goldberg Family Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and public television viewers.
Photo courtesy of PBS

http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Thirteens-NATURE-to-Premiere-Indias-Wandering-Lions-413-20160406