‘Lions fine,don’t look aggressive’

Shobha and Ravindra,the two lions brought from Bannerghatta last June,seem to be in good health and have not been showing signs of aggression,said Dr Vinaya Jangale,wildlife vet at the SGNP. “Usually when a carnivorous animal attacks a human being,the forest department orders that it be put to sleep. However,the lions are in captivity,and there won’t be any need for that,” Dr Jangale said

“Besides,these lions were clearly killing not to eat,but more as a sport. That is evident from the fact that they didn’t consume any parts of the body but only played around with it. The damage to the body was caused by the tossing around.” All the injuries were between the shoulder and the waist,an official said.

The safari has been for a few days and the lions would be under observation,Jangale said.

Ravindra and Shobha had been procured in exchange for two white tigers,seven-year-old Arya and Razia. Officials said they could initially follow commands only in Kannada and D Rathod,superintendent of the safari,had to learn the language.