The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has given its nod to Sakkarbaug zoo at Junagadh in Gujarat to spare an Asiatic lioness to Mysuru zoo under an animal exchange programme to speed up captive breeding.
Asiatic lions have been listed as endangered species, surviving only in the Gir forest in Gujarat. Sakkarbaug zoo is famous for breeding Asiatic lions.
Mysuru zoo had received a pair of lions from Sakkarbaug zoo under the exchange programme four years ago. The lioness, Gowri, suffered from a health problem and did not recover fully despite constant treatment. Gowri delivered a cub, which died sometime later.
The Mysuru zoo had Asiatic lions in 1989, but they could not breed.
Speaking to The Hindu , Chief Conservator of Forest and zoo executive director B.P. Ravi said the CZA’s order had been received and the stage is set for the exchange of animals.
Zoo gets CZA nod to receive the Asiatic lioness under an exchange programme
