Currently, SGNP houses three Asiatic lions, of which Jespa and Gopa are siblings, while the third, Ravindra, is now old
Even as forest officials at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) try to strike a 'good bargain' with officials from Sakkarbaug Zoo at Junagadh, Gujarat, for a pair of lions, it seems that it will end up requiring political intervention from Maharashtra.
Currently, SGNP houses three Asiatic lions, of which Jespa and Gopa are siblings, while the third, Ravindra, is now old. "We have just two males and one female. Since they are related, it will lead to inbreeding producing weaker cubs with a genetic disorder. We wrote to the Sakkarbaug Zoo in February requesting for one pair in return for one pair of rusty-spotted cats," said a senior park official. Gujarat zoo authorities have responded but they want not one, but two pairs of cats and also want the exchange approved by the Gujarat state government.
"Giving them two pairs will leave no female with us, affecting our own breeding programme," said another senior SGNP official, adding that the Sakkarbaug Zoo officials were known to be bullies as they knew their lions were in great demand across India, being pure bred.
Maintaining that they were still in talks with their counterparts in Gujarat, Dr Shailesh Pethe, Veterinary Officer for SGNP said that a new pair of lions at SGNP will not only boost current numbers but also chances of mating and healthy cubs will go up. "We have replied to their proposal saying we can only consider one pair of rusty-spotted cats and will wait for their reply now," he said.
Meanwhile, officials also hinted that they will be requesting State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar to use his connections. Mungantiwar has been extremely keen on developing facilities at SGNP. The last pair of lions at SGNP were brought in 2009 from Bannerghatta National Park and the last cubs to be born were in 2012.
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