RBI arm adopts two giraffes, lion and tiger at Mysuru zoo.

MYSURU, July 18, 2015

Shankar Bennur
Mysuru zoo executive director B.P. Ravi handing over a memento to an official of BRBNMPL in front of the giraffe enclosure at the zoo.

Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Ltd. (BRBNMPL), Mysuru, has displayed its commitment towards wildlife conservation by adopting two giraffes, a lion and a tiger at the Mysuru zoo under the popular animal adoption programme.

Under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the BRBNMPL adopted the animals for one year by paying the adoption fee of Rs 4 lakh.

The management of Mysuru zoo has thanked the BRBNMPL for its gesture.

“The interest shown by Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Ltd., Mysuru for adopting these large mammals is commendable. Their valuable contribution to this novel scheme will inspire other corporate bodies and charitable institutions for taking part in this animal adoption scheme,” said Chief Conservator of Forests and Executive Director B.P. Ravi.

Adoption certificate

H.S. Thakur Desai, General Manager, B.V. Pagar, Assistant General Manager, and H.L. Puttalinga, Assistant Manager, Welfare, visited the zoo recently and received the adoption certificate after completing the adoption formalities.

The total adoption amount received from April 1, 2015, till this date is Rs.14,21,850 for 120 animals.

The Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Ltd. has assured of renewing the adoption within the coming years.

The zoo also stated that the former cricketer Anil Kumble has renewed his adoption of a giraffe and an Asiatic Lion consecutively for the last four years and the Karnataka Silk Industrial Corporation, Mysuru (KSIC) has also renewed the adoption of a giraffe and an elephant consecutively for the last six years.

Mr. Ravi expressed his gratitude to them for their concern towards the wildlife.

The former cricketer Anil Kumble has renewed his adoption of a giraffe and an Asiatic Lion

2 cubs born in UP CM’s pet project Etawah lion safari.

Ishita Mishra, TNN | Jul 18, 2015, 10.46PM IST
Agra: After being in news for all the wrong reasons, Etawah lion safari, the UP CM's pet project, has some good news. The Asiatic lioness, Heer, gave birth to two cubs here on Saturday. The safari had witnessed a setback after the death of two lions here last year. The birth of the cubs is also a push for the dwindling number of Asiatic lions, as only 523 of them are left in the country.

Listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) was once widely distributed across southwest Asia.

Divisional forest officer (DFO), Chambal, and in-charge of Etawah lion safari, Anil Patel, said that the lioness delivered two cubs on Saturday noon and they came to know of the births through the CCTV camera placed inside the lion's cage.

"The cubs seem to be healthy as per the CCTV footage. It will take us a day to reveal the gender of the cubs as the lioness would not allow anyone to enter her cage presently," Patel added.

The official said that another lioness, Greeshma, who is also expecting is likely to deliver in a couple of days. After the birth of the cubs, the first phase of lion breeding centre is almost completed.

In April, a team of four doctors from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, had con-firmed the suc-cess-ful mat-ing of li-ons. Three pairs of Asiatic lions — Manan & Kumari, Kuber & Greeshma, and Heer & Gigo — are living under strict observations of vet and wildlife experts in the Etawah lion safari ever since the mating period that was held in January.

"Kumari, Greeshma and Heer were shifted from their quarantine for five days each in January for a bonding period with their male counterparts Manan, Kuber and Gigo. Greeshma and Heer got pregnant, however, as it was her first attempt, Kumari could not conceive," Patel said.

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav's ambitious lion safari project in his home district, Etawah, suffered a setback following the death of lion Vishnu and lioness Lakshmi, last year. Both died due to cardio respiratory failure caused by multiple organ failure. The dead pair belonged to the Hyderabad zoo and were transported to Allen Forest and Zoological Park in Kanpur before being brought to the lion breeding centre in Etawah. The centre is part of the lion safari spread in about 1,000 acres in Fisher Forest on Etawah-Gwalior road in Etawah district.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/2-cubs-born-in-UP-CMs-pet-project-Etawah-lion-safari/articleshow/48128042.cms

4 lionesses give birth to 11 cubs in Gir National Park.

PTI, Vadodara
Updated: Jul 16, 2015 18:52 IST

Gir National Park saw four Asiatic lionesses give birth to 11 cubs, said officials on Thursday.

Deputy Conservator of Forest, Gir National Park, Sandeep Kumar said the lionesses had given birth in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Three lionesses gave birth to three cubs each while the fourth one gave birth to two, he added.
"It will take another 15 days for the cubs to open their eyes," the officer said.
"A lioness can feed only three to four cubs at a time. The fact that 4 lioness gave birth to 11 cubs illustrates that Asiatic lions are genetically strong and competent. The forest department continues to play a leading role in biodiversity conservation through dedicated management and support to nature with skill care," Kumar said.
Gir National Park is the last abode of Asiatic Lions in Asia. Ten Asiatic lions had died in recent floods. According to latest census report released in May, the number of Asiatic lions in the sanctuary and its surrounding areas had gone up to 523, an increase of 27% since 2010.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/4-lionesses-give-birth-to-11-cubs-in-gir-national-park/article1-1369932.aspx

Asiatic lions missing after floods sighted in Gir forest.

PTI Jul 17, 2015, 02.40PM IST

VADODARA: Nearly 30 Asiatic lions, who were untraceable after last month's heavy rains that claimed the lives of 10 felines, have been sighted in Gir forest area of Gujarat's Amreli district, a senior forest official said.
"These lions were missing after the torrential rains on June 22 that killed at least 10 of them. They were recently sighted on the hills of Bhavadi and Hogoliya and surrounding area of Shetrunji river in Gir forest under Amreli district. Three missing lions were traced this morning," Deputy Conservator of Forest M R Gurjar told PTI on phone today.

"The teams of trackers started visiting these areas after the missing report of lions and located the big cats on hills and surrounding areas of Gir forest, the sole home of the Asiatic lions," he said.
About 40 lions were living near the banks of Shetrunji river in Liliya-Krakach area. "Since the water level in Shetrunji river near Liliya-Krakach was high on June 22, the lions might have migrated to nearby villages," Gurjar said.
Ten lions were swept away in the swelling Shetrunji river after the flood. Their carcasses were later recovered, he said.
"The staff of the state forest department, animal activists and villagers had launched a search for the missing lions and found them roaming safely in their territory, killing their preys in the surrounding areas," Gurjar said.
"The Gir National Park has lot of elevations and hills where the lions retreat when there is flood. Now we will be taking help of around 200 local people to drive away lions to hilly areas in case of warning of heavy rains, as a precautionary measure," he said.
The devastating flood had swept away a large number of domestic cattle, herbivorous wild animals like blue bulls, chittal, blackbucks and other prey base of lions.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani said Gir lions have a strong case to be the national animal.
"Our national emblem too contains the figures of lions, which itself makes a strong case for lion as the national animal," Nathwani said adding that would continue his drive for the the cause of Gir lions.
The MP had earlier requested the Railways to take steps for the safety of lions roaming on the 45-km rail tracks passing through the Gir forest area which is used for movement of goods trains from Palitana to Surendranagar.
At least seven cubs of lions were killed on this railway track this year.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-07-17/news/64535371_1_asiatic-lions-gir-lions-gir-forest

The new pride of Gir forest.

Himanshu Kaushik, TNN | Jul 17, 2015, 01.06PM IST
AHMEDABAD: There are new kings in the tourism zone of the Gir Sanctuary and they have rallied up a single pride in the area. Two lions, Kabir and Abhiraj, have formed a pride of 25 — including 11 cubs born to four lionesses. The pride is set to become even bigger as two more lionesses are to give birth by the end of the month.

At present there are around 50 lions in the tourism zone. In the past, the area was ruled by a group of 32 lions but after one died, the territory was takeover by Sandipan and Mandipan and the single pride split into three groups.

According to officials, the single pride was found in Raiydi, Khutani, Paravia, Pachadi, Dudhala and Kadeli areas but after the split one group ruled by Sandipan and Mandipan was found in Karamba, the second ruled by Ram and Shyam was found in Jambuthala and the third was taken over by Kabir and Abhiraj. However, off late Kabir and Abhiraj started forging their own territory and they now have nine lionesses in their pride.

Sandeep Kumar, the deputy conservator of forests, who is chronicling this takeover says, "Ram and Shyam, the other two lions have been dethroned Kabir and Abhijraj. The group now has 14 cubs, of which 11 newborns. We are keeping a close watch on the movement of the lioness to ensure the cubs survive."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/The-new-pride-of-Gir-forest/articleshow/48110340.cms

Gujarat opposes any move to shift Gir lions out of state after flood kills some.

Posted on: 05:57 PM IST Jul 14, 2015

Meghdoot Sharon CNN-IBN

Ahmedabad: The death of ten Asiatic lions in the recent flash floods in Gujarat has yet again sparked off a debate on whether shifting a few lions out of Gujarat is a move in the interest of the lion. Wildlife experts have been calling for shifting some lions to Madhya Pradesh, but Gujarat has strongly opposed any such move so far.
Visuals of dead bodies of the king of the jungle drowned and washed away in the recent Gujarat floods shocked many. The dead bodies of as many as ten lions have been recovered so far, although no one can so with certainty how many lions died in the flood that caused havoc in the districts of Amreli, Junagadh and Bhavnagar in Gujarat. Wildlife conservationists have been arguing for long that it is advisable to spread the Asiatic lion in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, so that an epidemic or natural calamity will not cause as much damage to them. Now voices of concern are propping up from within Gujarat as well.

Samir Shah, President of Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry said "earlier too lions have died unnatural deaths in Gujarat. They have begun to venture out of the sanctuary into villages and towns. In order to save them from dying, they should be shifted elsewhere".
Over the years, a number of lions have moved out from the Gir sanctuary limits to revenue and wasteland areas on the periphery of the sanctuary. With an abundant supply of bluebulls and deer for food, the lions have made this their permanent home. The thick bush cover also serves as an ideal habitat for the majestic lion. Locals in Dhari town of Amreli claim they see lions regularly in the riverbed and even walking on the main road at times.
Nooruddin Chavda, a resident of Dhari said "there are two groups of lions that stay here.. where we are standing. These include lions, lionesses and cubs."
Another resident Niket Sanghani also joins him. He said "all of us have seen lions here… Especially in the evenings, they even roam on the roads."
Its these lions who got washed away in the flash floods recently. But ask the locals whether the lions should be shifted and their answer is an emphatic "No".
Defending their opposition to any attempt to shift lions, Nooruddin Chavda said "No this is wrong. Nature can cause havoc anywhere.. Shifting is not an option."
Niket Sanghani also feels the same. He said "Flood can come anywhere.. That is not a premise for shifting lions from here."
The Gujarat forest department, and for that matter, the state government, says that a healthy rise in lion population is evidence enough that there is absolutely no need to shifting any lions to the Kuno Palpur wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
Anshuman Sharma, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Gir East Range said "Just because 10 lions have died, it is wrong to make a demand for relocation. This was a calamity that can happen anywhere.. Even in places that they want to shift the lions. We are taking good care of the lions. The lion to cub ratio also shows that they are in a good place."

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/gujarat-opposes-any-move-to-shift-gir-lions-out-of-state-after-flood-kills-some-1020392.html

Centre refuses to give money for conservation of lions.

NEW DELHI: July 13, 2015, dhns:

The last month's flood in Gujarat killed 10 Asiatic lions in two districts at a time when the central government refused to release more money for conserving these animals.

The deaths occurred in Amreli and Bhavnagar districts, where carcasses of ten lions were recovered till July 2, says a report by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Gujarat, who submitted it to the Union Environment Ministry last week.

Besides, carcasses of 1,670 blue bulls, 87 spotted deer, nine black bucks and six wild boars were also found. Four lions died in Amreli district and the other six in Bhavnagar district.

As per the 2010 lion census, the total number of these big cats stood at 411 in Gujarat. Two months ago, another round of the five-yearly lion census  began. The 2005 count was 359 lions.

The ongoing census will cover Amreli, Porbandar, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Gir-Somnath and Botad districts. Apart from the 1,800 sq km sanctuary area, which includes Gir Sanctuary, Gir National Park, Paniya, Mityalaya and Girnar sanctuaries, another 23,200 sq km area outside the sanctuary will also be covered in the counting.

The loss of lions comes less than three months after the Union Environment Ministry refused to sanction Rs 135 crore to Gujarat for conserving these animals in their only home in India.
The state had submitted a Rs 150 crore plan for consolidating long term conservation of Asiatic lions and sought 90 per cent funding from theCentre. The ministry rejected the proposal on the ground that funds are not available. Two years ago, Gujarat had submitted a Rs 262 crore proposal that also received approval from the Planning Commission. But the central support was nominal.

After the flood, when forest officials visited the affected areas, lions were seen moving and fresh kills of blue bulls were also observed.

“As many as 17 lions were seen in Savarkundala area while 27 lions in Amreli district and 40 in Bhavnagar district were spotted during search and rescue operations after the flood,” said S C Pant, principal chief conservator of forest in Gujarat.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/489093/centre-refuses-give-money-conservation.html

India officials say recent floods killed 10 endangered lions.

An Asiatic lion rests in Gir forest, about 355 km from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad December 23, 2006. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:33 PM, July 12, 2015

NEW DELHI (AP) — Officials say monsoon flooding that killed dozens of people in western India last month also hurt the world’s last population of wild Asiatic lions.
The floods killed at least 81 people with mudslides, collapsed homes or high waters in Gujarat state, while thousands were forced to evacuate their homes.

Gujarat forest officials say in a report that the rains also killed at least 10 of the country’s 523 lions — the last members of the subspecies left anywhere in the wild.
The report, submitted this weekend to the state’s environment ministry, says other lions were found in “weak health and shocked condition” and were given treatment and food supplements.
The deaths underline conservationists’ concerns about keeping all of the lions in Gir National Forest in southern Gujarat. AP

http://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/india/india-officials-say-recent-floods-killed-10-endangered-lions