Vadodara,Surat zoos to get pure-breed Asiatic lions

In-Charge Zoo Curator C B Patel said: “We were contemplating on getting a pair of lions because one of the three lions has grown old and it is not advisable to keep him for public display. Talks were on with Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh and we have been allowed to take possession of a pair of Asiatic lions.”

Among the three lions in Vadodara Zoo,two were procured from Chandigarh while one was born in the zoo.

Patel added: “The significance of getting this pair is that we will for the first time have a genuine Asiatic lion. All the three lions are crossbreeds,including the one which has grown old. Now we will be able to go for captive breeding of Asiatic lions. We are waiting for the rains. A low temperature is important for the transit of the big cats.”

Sakkarbaug zoo will also supply a pure breed Asiatic lion to Surat Zoo. The only lion in Surat Zoo is a crossbreed.

Surat Zoo Curator Prafful Mehta said:”Our proposal has reached Sakkarbaug Zoo officials and the final nod from CZA is awaited. For long we have been demanding an Asiatic lion and if everything goes well we will soon get one in the near future.”