The arrival of two pairs of Asiatic lions in Byculla zoo is held up because it does not have two zebras, which it is supposed to supply to a Gujarat zoo under an exchange agreement. A tender to procure the zebras received no response in the first attempt, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will have to invite bids again.
As part of the second phase of its expansion plan, the zoo is supposed to have acquired leopards, lions and 17 exotic animal species, which will be housed on additional land it recently procured from a private mill company. The BMC has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the State forest department for 120 acres in Aarey colony for further expansion of the zoo.
A pair of leopards is already quarantined in the zoo and by October, the administration hopes to complete work on an enclosure and move them there. By November, people will be able to see them.
However, one of the other major attractions, two pairs of Asiatic lions, are nowhere near arriving in the city. The corporation has an agreement with Gujarat’s Sakkarbaug Zoo, which has agreed to give these lions as part of its animal exchange programme. The Gujarat zoo management had asked for giraffes but later settled for zebras.
The BMC had floated a tender in June for the procurement of two pairs of zebras (two males and two females) from a foreign zoo, at a cost of nearly ₹40 lakh. The two pairs are to be procured by the contractor and delivered to the Gujarat zoo directly.
Only after Byculla zoo has appointed a contractor can the process of bringing the lions to Mumbai move ahead. The cost includes transportation charges, providing crates, veterinary care, and handling of animals. The bidder is required to know how to translocate exotic species of wild animals to Indian zoos from outside the country with a minimum of three years’ experience.
The last date for bidders was July 31, but the tender received no response. “Since we did not get any response, we are inviting bids again soon this month with the BMC commissioner’s approval,” said Dr. Sanjay Tripathi, director, Byculla zoo.
According to Dr. Tripathi, work on the 23,000 sq. ft. enclosure for the lions is on at “a good pace” and will be complete before their arrival. Once here, the lions will have to be quarantined for one to two months, and if all goes well, Mumbaikars may be able to see them in 2020.
