Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Asiatic lion trapped in cage kept for leopard

18-04-2014
Asiatic lion trapped in cage kept for leopard
Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/asiatic-lion-trapped-in-cage-kept-for-leopard-114041801026_1.html

A male Asiatic lion got trapped in a cage which was kept to capture a leopard in adjoining Gir Somnath district.

The incident took place in near Virodar village under Sutrapada taluka this morning.

The lion will be released in the Gir forest, the last abode of this endangered species, said Aradhana Sahu, Deputy Conservator Forest at Junagadh.

She said this was a rare incident of a lion getting trapped in a cage.

The cage was intended to capture a leopard who was spotted roaming near the village and had killed cattle.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Asiatic lion trapped in cage kept for leopard

19-04-2014
Asiatic lion trapped in cage kept for leopard
Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/asiatic-lion-trapped-in-cage-kept-for-leopard-114041801026_1.html

A male Asiatic lion got trapped in a cage which was kept to capture a leopard in adjoining Gir Somnath district.

The incident took place in near Virodar village under Sutrapada taluka this morning.

The lion will be released in the Gir forest, the last abode of this endangered species, said Aradhana Sahu, Deputy Conservator Forest at Junagadh.

She said this was a rare incident of a lion getting trapped in a cage.

The cage was intended to capture a leopard who was spotted roaming near the village and had killed cattle.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Mount Girnar: The House of Gods and Lions

11-04-2014
Mount Girnar: The House of Gods and Lions
Indiawest
http://www.indiawest.com/news/18246-mount-girnar-the-house-of-gods-and-lions.html

Gir National Park in Gujarat is home to many animals like lions, deer and peacocks.

India

In January 2014, I traveled to Ahmedabad, India to preside over a conference on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Trauma Care (TC). I led the U.S delegation and trained 100 surgeons in trauma care in Mumbai. After the successful seminar, along with my two nephews Hemant and Bharat, we took an eight-hour car ride to Junagadh to visit Mount Girnar for a pilgrimage to ancient Jain temples and also to visit the Gir National Park for a lion safari.

We arrived at Junagadh at night and the next morning at 5 a.m., we rode 6 kilometers to reach Mount Girnar. We started on a two-mile long and steep climb of 9000 steps to reach various temples on the mountains. After two hours of climbing, covering 4000 steps, we reached the main Jain temple dedicated to 22nd Jain Tirthankara (God) Neminath (there are 24 Jain Tirthankaras.)

There were hundreds of pilgrims there for worship — some climbed and some were carried in a chair, called "doly," lifted by two men. This ancient temple has existed for thousands of years. Mount Girnar has a volcanic origin and has five peaks at 3600 feet above sea level. It has a large number of Jain and Hindu temples.

The present magnificent main Jain temple of black granite stone was built during 1128 and 1159 A.D. The carvings and architecture of the entire temple are awesome. I could not fathom how such a massive structure with intricate sculptures was built on such a steep mountain and at such a height. The temple has a 61-inch-high black marble statue, in a sitting posture, of 22nd Jain Tirthankara Neminath, who lived around 3100 B.C. As per the Jain historians, the statue is thousands of years old. The temple has a large courtyard that is 139 meters long and 58 meters wide, with 70 cells containing all 24 Jain Tirthankaras' marble idols for worship.

Tirthankara Neminath was a prince in the Gujarat region and was known as Arishtanemi. On his wedding day, he saw a large number of wailing animals in a fenced area. On enquiry, he found out that these animals were going to be slaughtered for his wedding feast. Pained with the planned killings of the animals, Arishtanemi liberated the caged animals and abandoned his wedding. Later on, he left his kingdom and traveled to Mount Girnar to become a Jain monk. He prayed and meditated for 54 days on Mount Girnar and attained enlightenment.

Afterwards, for many years he traveled all over India and preached Jainism. He taught the practice of non-violence, truth, detachment from worldly possessions and bodily pleasures, equanimity, respect for all religions and views, charity and compassion. After many years of travel and teaching, he returned to Mount Girnar where he attained nirvana, as his soul was liberated from all karmas. It is the karmas, both good and bad, which keep the soul in the painful cycle of life, death and rebirth. Jains believe that practicing the principles of Jainism allows one to shed all karmas and achieve a final liberation from the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

After the climb, we had a traditional hot water bath and changed into worship attire. Jain worship is done by touching the idol of Tirthankara with saffron and sandalwood paste and offering flowers. When I touched the ancient statue of Neminath for puja (worship), I felt content and tranquil. After the worship, we prayed and meditated in the temple for blessings. Later on, we climbed to reach other temples for puja and prayers. It was amazing that after so much of steep climbing in the hot sun, there was minimal feeling of tiredness or exhaustion. The enthusiasm and energy excelled and we completed the pilgrimage. While descending, I contemplated life, living and its final destination. In the practice of Jainism, an annual pilgrimage to ancient Jain temples is a necessity for salvation. It was with the sense of divinity, elation and achievement that we reached the base and enjoyed a freshly prepared delicious late lunch.

The next morning, we left Junagadh at 7 a.m. and reached the Sasan lion safari area by 8 a.m. Sasan is an entry portal of the national park and sanctuary. The forest covers an area of 19,393 square kilometers. The terrain of mountains and forests is mainly of volcanic origin. The large Shetrunji River runs in its midst. This forest has some 300 water points and is home to 36 species of mammals, 300 species of birds and 37 species of reptiles. The main carnivorous animals are lions, leopards, jungle cats, hyenas, jackals and mongoose, while the herbivores are deer, sambars, antelopes and wild boars. The reptiles in the forest include crocodiles, lizards, pythons, cobras and tortoises. There are also many varieties of small and large birds like eagles, woodpeckers, peacocks and parakeets.

We started the safari at 9 a.m. with eight jeeps, each with its own guide. It was an adventurous ride that lasted four hours.  We saw two large male lions, one resting and the other yawning with a wide, open mouth. Within a few feet of the lions, our jeeps halted and we took lots of photographs. The lions didn't bother to look at us at all. Nobody in any of the jeeps had any arms for protection. We saw a number of beautiful spotted deer moving in groups right in the vicinity of the lions. We also saw lots of antelopes, sambar deer, peacocks and other rare birds and animals from quite up close.

The tour was a photographer's paradise. The animals in their natural habitat looked comfortable despite the presence of the jeeps and tourists. In the jungle, we saw many settlements of a tribe called Maldharis. The Maldharis have been living in the area for many centuries, raising livestock. The fearless Maldharis live and move around the forest with ease and just carry a long stick for their protection. In the nearby Junagadh zoo, which was established in 1863, there is a lion breeding center. The center has bred some 180 lions in captivity.

The Mount Girnar area showed us, the tourists, a completely peaceful coexistence of trees, birds, animals, humans and yes, gods (in their temples). The philosophy of "live and let live" is very much alive and flourishing in these mountains and forests. The Gujarat government must be complimented for availing multiple tourist facilities to worship gods and also to enjoy the forest's flora, fauna and animals in their natural habitat. The authorities' conservation and animal care efforts are praiseworthy. The Gujarat government has built a large modern facility for tourists to stay in as well as forest activities at Sasan. Over 100,000 tourists visit the area annually. I wish many more tourists would visit and take advantage of the facilities and enjoy the thrilling visit.

About the Writer:

Navin C. Shah

M.D., M.S., F.A.C.S., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.I.P.

Diplomat of the American Board of Urology  

Diplomat of the American Board of Quality Assurance

Finally, missing lion cubs rescued in Amreli

11-04-2014
Finally, missing lion cubs rescued in Amreli
Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Finally-missing-lion-cubs-rescued-in-Amreli/articleshow/33572030.cms

Forest department teams in Amreli have heaved a sigh of relief after they finally succeeded in capturing the two cubs of a lioness, which had killed a farm labourer near Rajula town on March 31.

The lioness of captured on April 6 but there was no sight of the cubs, raising heckles of the forest officials. However, a team of trackers and rescue workers, spotted the cubs near Dhareshwar village near Rajula and found the cubs. In a rare instance, the captured lioness had to be re-released into the forest so that she could find her cubs. The lioness and both cubs were caged and taken to Sasan animal care centre.

The search and rescue operation concluded at around 3am on Thursday.

The lioness, which was reportedly harassed by villagers, had killed labourer Deepak Babariya and injured another in Agariya village near Rajula on March 31.

"It was a major rescue operation operation as we had to cage the lioness and the cubs in a revenue area (out of forest land). It required a lot of patience. But we finally succeeded," said a senior forest official.

"It was a difficult task to cage lion cubs in absence of their mother and we were worried about their survival as they can't prey by themselves," said an official.

Sandeep Kumar, deputy conservator of forests, Gir National Park and Sanctuary (Sasan), said the lioness is around 6 to 9 years old and both cubs are about five months old. "They have been brought to animal care centre in Sasan and would be kept under observation,'' said Kumar, who was present during the entire operation.

As per rules, any lion or lioness which kills humans is caged and sent permanently in captivity.

"We will observe the behavior of the lioness and her two cubs for some days. The forest department will take a call if the two lion cubs can be released into the wild or not,'' said a forest official.

There, over 60 lions in Rajula-Jafarabad coastal belt in Amreli and settled into revenue area outside the forest land.
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Tuesday, April 08, 2014

Parents kill two rare Asiatic lion cubs born at French zoo

02-04-2014
Parents kill two rare Asiatic lion cubs born at French zoo
Zee News
http://zeenews.india.com/news/eco-news/parents-kill-two-rare-asiatic-lion-cubs-born-at-french-zoo_921930.html

Two of three extremely rare Asiatic lion cubs born in a French zoo last year have been killed by their parents, zoo officials said, in a blow to conservation efforts.

The zoo at the natural history museum in Besancon, eastern France, said today that a male cub had been killed this week and a female cub killed in mid-March.

The three cubs, two females and a male, were born on December 30.

Their eight-year-old mother, Shiva, was born in the same zoo while their father, Tejas, was born in Bristol in Britain five years ago.

The two lions were paired last year and Shiva gave birth to a first female cub in August, before the three other cubs were born.

One of the male cubs, named Sankha, died Monday "as a result of sudden aggressive behaviour by his mother," the zoo said in a statement.

His sister, Kira, was rescued by zoo staff and was now old enough to be kept away from her parents, it said.

Another female cub was killed by her father on March 17 in what the zoo described as "an unfortunate incident".

According to the museum, there are only 350 Asiatic lions left in the wild, all of them living in the Gir forest in India's western Gujarat state.

Listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Asiatic lion (panthera leo persica) was once widely distributed across southwest Asia.

Understanding lions using DNA from museum specimens

03-04-2014
Understanding lions using DNA from museum specimens
Digital Journal
http://www.digitaljournal.com/science/understanding-lions-using-dna-from-museum-specimens/article/379373

Genetic analysis aids in not only painting a picture of the past, but preserving the future. Recent study unveils the history of modern lions using DNA garnered from natural history museums.

For a quick review on scientific classification please see Species vs Subspecies

DNA analysis helps clarify and separate the different subspecies of the lion. A study published on BMS Evolutionary Biology reveals the ancestry of Panthera leo the lone surviving lion species. "Understanding the demographic history of a population is critical to conservation and to our broader understanding of evolutionary processes" according to the journal article itself. As big cats, lions have been hunted extensively throughout written history, and even recently certain populations have declined such as the the West African Lion subspecies (Panthera leo senegalensis). DNA clarification helps to separate lions based on their genes. This helps to protect the gene pool of this magnificent mammal, allowing ecologists to better protect the specie's diversity.

Another hindrance to the study of the modern lion's family tree is the absence of a fossil record. "Estimates of demographic history are increasingly reliant on genetic data, particularly in many tropical regions where the mammalian fossil record is constrained by poor preservation of bone" (Barnett et al.) The tropical environment itself is not conducive to preservation, leaving an incomplete fossil record. Researches looked toward modern techniques to analyze mitochondrial DNA from specimens of known origin held in museums. Bone and tissue samples were taken from extinct subspecies such as the Barbary lion (Panthera leo leo) and Iranian lion (P. l. persica) as well as modern African and Asiatic Lions.

Revealing the maternal demographic history of Panthera leo using ancient DNA and a spatially explicit genealogical analysis takes an analytical view at the lions genealogy. While there are 8 recognized subspecies of the modern lion, genetics of each clade remains unclear. Looking at extinct subspecies such as the Barbary Lion and Iranian Lion help us to not only better understand the current lion populations, but also to better appreciate and protect specific sub-populations, allowing for educated conservation of this vulnerable species (IUCN). The study makes clear arguments for recognition of specific regional populations to be worthy of independent conservation. Dr. Barnett states in an interview with BBC: "I was most surprised by the incredibly close relationship between the extinct Barbary lion from North Africa and the extant Asian lion from India."

While it is too late to save the Barbary lion, perhaps the largest of the lion subspecies, there is still time to protect the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), a lion subspecies that exists as a single isolated population within Gir Forest National Park, India. Protecting endangered subspecies like the Asiatic lion helps insure the preservation of the species as a whole, insuring the King of the Jungle can rule for generations to come.


Complaint filed against Sachin Tendulkar's Gir sanctuary tour

02-04-2014
Complaint filed against Sachin Tendulkar's Gir sanctuary tour
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/Complaint-filed-against-Sachin-Tendulkars-Gir-sanctuary-tour/articleshow/33142411.cms

A complaint was filed before the Election Commission today, seeking action against forest officials alleging breach of the Model Code of Conduct, after they accompanied cricketer Sachin Tendulkar during his recent visit to the Gir lion sanctuary in Gujarat.

The Right to Information (RTI) Activists' Association of Junagadh lodged a complaint before the state Election Commissioner today seeking action against officers who accompanied Tendulkar on March 22.

"Take action against forest officials who accompanied Sachin Tendulkar and his family during their trip to Gir lion sanctuary, since by doing so, they have breached the Model Code of Conduct," the Association said in its complaint.

"They took a caravan of government vehicles and stayed on for more time in the sanctuary. Hence, they have breached the Model Code of Conduct," the complaint, which has been filed against two forest officers R L Meena and Sandip Kumar, said.

"We have received a complaint on this issue. Those forest officers, who had accompanied Tendulkar, were not given any poll duty," Junagadh district collector and returning officer Alok Kumar Pandey said.

"The district conservator of forests, who accompanied Tendulkar, has filed his reply saying that he was with Tendulkar to maintain law and order. We have sent the reply to higher authorities," Pandey said.

On March 22, Tendulkar, along with his wife Anjali, daughter Sarah, son Arjun and a couple of family friends had visited the Gir lion sanctuary.

Tendulkar and his family were taken to nearly 15 spots in Gir forest where lions can be easily spotted.

Sachin Tendulkar's Gir Sanctuary visit protested by RTI activists

02-04-2014
Sachin Tendulkar’s Gir Sanctuary visit protested by RTI activists
The Cricket Country
http://www.cricketcountry.com/news/sachin-tendulkars-gir-sanctuary-visit-protested-by-rti-activists-121182

A complaint was filed before the Election Commission, seeking action against forest officials alleging breach of the Model Code of Conduct, after they accompanied cricketer Sachin Tendulkar during his recent visit to the Gir lion sanctuary in Gujarat.

The Right to Information (RTI) Activists’ Association of Junagadh lodged a complaint before the state Election Commissioner seeking action against officers who accompanied Tendulkar on March 22.

“Take action against forest officials who accompanied Sachin Tendulkar and his family during their trip to Gir lion sanctuary, since by doing so, they have breached the Model Code of Conduct,” the Association said in its complaint.

“They took a caravan of government vehicles and stayed on for more time in the sanctuary. Hence, they have breached the Model Code of Conduct,” the complaint, which has been filed against two forest officers R L Meena and Sandip Kumar, said.

“We have received a complaint on this issue. Those forest officers, who had accompanied Tendulkar, were not given any poll duty,” Junagadh district collector and returning officer Alok Kumar Pandey said.

“The district conservator of forests, who accompanied Tendulkar, has filed his reply saying that he was with Tendulkar to maintain law and order. We have sent the reply to higher authorities,” Pandey said.

On March 22 2014, Tendulkar, along with his wife Anjali, daughter Sarah, son Arjun and a couple of family friends had visited the Gir lion sanctuary.

 Tendulkar and his family were taken to nearly 15 spots in Gir forest where lions can be easily spotted.

Man-made conflict: Gir loses six lions in four months

04-04-2014
Man-made conflict: Gir loses six lions in four months
DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-man-made-conflict-gir-loses-six-lions-in-four-months-1974977

Govt records show only 10 unnatural deaths were recorded in last three years

Asiatic Lions are the pride of Gujarat and the state has been trying its best to prevent their translocation to Madhya Pradesh, citing safety reasons. But, of late, the safety of lions seems to be a matter of utmost concern in this state too.

For the record, Gujarat has lost as many as six lions since the beginning of 2014. And, conservationists say this is a worrying trend because the deaths were the result of man-animal conflict even if all the six deaths were unintentional.

Incidentally, the state government, in a reply to the assembly in 2013, said 92 Asiatic lions had died, including 83 natural deaths, in the past two years (2011, 2012) in the Saurashtra region. This meant the number of unnatural deaths during those two years was nine.

In 2014, the government, replying to a question in the assembly, said the deaths were 83 for 2013 and 2012 and only one death was unnatural — after a lion fell into a well. Now, going by these reports, 2014 seems to be a deadly year for the big cats following six deaths in the first four months of the year.

Dinesh Goswami of Prakruti Nature Club said it was imperative to create awareness and sensitivity about lions. "Rajula, Liliya and Jafrabad alone are home to around 100 to 150 lions. It is obvious that they will cross the roads and railway tracks and you cannot stop them. So, the next best thing is to create awareness among people, including drivers who cross the area. We can create road signs saying, 'Lion territory, go slow' or something of that sort," he said.

Goswami stated that another reason was that as more and more lions are spotted outside the sanctuary, people come to see the animals out of curiosity. "Many of these people are outsiders who do not go to Gir but prefer coming here. Lions are animals that usually don't attack humans but if harassed turn violent leading to further man-animal conflict," he pointed out.

An official of the forest department said it was indeed a worrying trend and the department was working on medium and long-term solutions. "After three lions were killed on the track, we took up the matter with the railway department. The forest department even imparted training to 82 drivers to sensitise them about lions, why the cats need to be protected and what can the drivers do to ensure the safety of the animals if found on the tracks," he said, adding that signs would also be put up on the roads.

Goswami further stated that staff crunch in the forest department only added to the woes. "There is a shortage of staff and vehicles in the forest department. How can the officials keep track of lions while working under such constraints? It is time the forest department identifies areas that have a large lion population outside the Gir sanctuary and have a team dedicated for them. For, if such accidents continue, we will end up ruining our own record in lion conservation," he said.

Chief wildlife warden CN Pandey was not available for comment.

Jan 22, 2014: Two lionesses — one of them pregnant — were killed after being hit by a train on its way to Pipavav Port. The animals were hit while trying to cross a track between Dehra and Pasada villages in Rajula taluka of Amreli district

Feb 24, 2014: A two-and-a-half year old male lion was killed by a moving train in Amreli district. The lion was injured but died during treatment

April 1, 2014: Two cubs were run over by a truck in Hemal village of Jafrabad taluka of Amreli district

April 2: A cub drowned falling into a well in Amreli district

Thursday, April 03, 2014

Indian lions can help revive extinct variety

03-04-2014
Indian lions can help revive extinct variety
The Times of India
http://mobilepaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=13&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOIBG&mydateHid=03-04-2014&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Bangalore&edname=&articleid=Ar01302&publabel=TOI

Indian lions could play a key role in bring back an extinct variety.DNA tests by an international team of scientists has confirmed that Indian lions have close genetic links with the now extinct Barbary lions of North Africa.This means that re-seeding Indian lions could bring back the extinct species.Less than 400 Asiatic lions survive at present on the Kathiawar Peninsula of India,listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Barbary lions of North Africa,extending from Egypt to Morocco,were also called the Atlas lions and had the most spectacular physical features.Its extensive mane made it look majestic.It also was a lot larger.

Ross Barnett of Copenhagen University,who started the research during his days at Durham University in UK,sequenced the DNA from the skulls of two Barbary lions once held in Tower of London.It helped reveal the origin of the modern lions.The skulls of these lions dated to 14th and 15th centuries.Barnett said he as most surprised by the incredibly close gentic links between the extinct Barbary lion from North Africa and the Asiatic lion from India.This he says could now get conservationists start talking about resurrecting the subspecies and reintroducing lions into North Africa.

Why zebras have stripes To fend off biting flies

The secret behind why zebras have black and white graphic stripes has finally been answered.Scientists have found that biting flies are the evolutionary driver for zebras stripes.A research team mapped the geographic distributions of the seven different species of zebras,horses and asses.They then compared these animals geographic ranges with different variables like woodland areas,ranges of large predators,temperature and the geographic distribution of glossinid (tsetse flies) and tabanid (horseflies) biting flies.They then examined where the striped animals and these variables overlapped.After analysing the five hypotheses,the scientists ruled out all but one: avoiding blood-sucking flies.

Two lions run over by vehicle on road in Amreli

02-04-2014
Two lions run over by vehicle on road in Amreli
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Two-lions-run-over-by-vehicle-on-road-in-Amreli/articleshow/33123139.cms

In a tragic incident, two lions were run over by a vehicle on Bhavnagar-Somnath coastal highway on Tuesday night.

According to sources, the incident occurred near Hemal village in Jafrabad taluka of Amreli district when two lions were crossing the highway and vehicle hit them. The wild cats died on the spot.

The local police and forest department officials rushed to the spot and taken lions' dead body for post mortem at Jasadhar animal care centre in Dhari.

The incidents of lions dying unnatural deaths are increasing in Amreli district.

'There are over 40 lions in Rajula-Jafarabad coastal belt in Amreli district but they were left to fend for themselves as there is no patrolling here to control the nuisance which disturbs the lions. This has made lions' conservation in miserable conditions'' said Vipul Laheri, honorary wildlife warden, Amreli.

In last three months, three lions, one of the lionesses pregnant with three cubs were runover by goods' trains on Savarkundla-Rajula track.

Leopard kills 8-month-old girl in Junagadh village

02-04-2014
Leopard kills 8-month-old girl in Junagadh village
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Rajkot/Leopard-kills-8-month-old-girl-in-Junagadh-village/articleshow/33113311.cms

A leopard mauled an eight-month-old girl to death in Lundhiya village of Visavadar taluka in Junagadh on Tuesday. Reena Buch's body was found some distance away from the place where she was attacked by the wildcat.

Forest department officials said the girl was attacked at around 3am as she slept with her parents in the open on the village outskirts. Her parents work as farm labourers and hail from Rajasthan. Forest officials have placed cages in the area to nab the leopard.

This was the second instance of an attack by wildcats in the last three days. On Sunday night, a lion had attacked an 18-year-old farm labourer Deepak Babariya in Agariya village in Rajula taluka of Amreli killing him on the spot.

Sources said at least eight people have been killed by wild animals in Junagadh and Amreli districts since January 2013. Wildlife conservationists said that man-animal conflicts have become a cause for concern in the region.

African leopard dies due to kidney failure in Junagadh Zoo

01-04-2014
African leopard dies due to kidney failure in Junagadh Zoo
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Home/Environment/Flora-Fauna/African-leopard-dies-due-to-kidney-failure-in-Junagadh-Zoo/articleshow/33030515.cms

A 12-year-old African cheetah (male) died on Monday at Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh.

According to zoo officials, the African leopard 'Lestad' died due to hepatic (liver) and renal (kidney) failure because of old age. The wild cat was born at Singapore Zoo in 2002 and it was brought to Sakkarbaug Zoo in 2009.

The Sakkarbaug Zoo is run by state forest department in Junagadh.

According to forest department officials, four leopards were brought to Junagadh from Singapore Zoo under Animal Exchange Programme in 2009. Sakkarbaug Zoo got four African leopards, two males and two females- in exchange of lions.

According to sources, Sakkarbaug Zoo is the only zoo in the country which has leopards.

However, out of the four leopard, three (two male, one female) cheetah died earlier. Now, only one female leopard is left at the zoo.

Forest officials said that normal life of cheetah in captivity is 10 to 12 years.

'Lion-tiger conflict in Kuno can't be ruled out'

01-04-2014
'Lion-tiger conflict in Kuno can't be ruled out'
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Lion-tiger-conflict-in-Kuno-cant-be-ruled-out/articleshow/33039505.cms

Will Gir lions shifted to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh come into conflict with tigers that may have strayed from Ranthambore reserve in Rajasthan? For the first time, an NGO, Wildlife Conservation Trust-Rajkot, has joined as a party to the petition filed by the Rajasthan government claiming that there is a possibility of conflict between the two big cats because a natural movement corridor exists between Kuno and Ranthambore. The NGO had filed a petition earlier in the apex court against translocation of lions to Kuno-Palpur.

Citing reports that the male tiger, T-38, from Ramthambore had been found moving between the tiger reserve in Rajasthan and Kuno-Palpur, the petitioner, in an amendment to its petition moved on Monday, has claimed that "the court was never informed about the contiguity which the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve enjoys with Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh."

In its amended petition, the NGO says that Kuno lacks in prey base. Further, given its proximity to Ranthambore, introduction of lions in Kuno could have a severe impact on the population of tigers as lions can travel in search of food to Ramthambore.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory authority under the Centre, seems to support the NGOs' argument. In its report titled, 'State of Tigers, Co-predators and prey in India-2008', the NTCA supports the stand of Gujarat that Kuno-Palpur is a tiger-occupied area close to other tiger habitats including Ranthambhore. Further, as the proposed site for translocation of lions from Gir is close to the tiger areas, tigers keep frequenting the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary.

The NTCA report recommends that the potential habitat connectivity between Ranthambhore, Kuno-Palpur and reserve forests of MP's Sheopur district be improved "to form a viable arid zone westernmost Tiger Conservation Unit in India." The recommendations of the NTCA are legally binding under Section 38-V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act-1972, the NGO has submitted in its amended petition.

Movement of predators

In its order dated April 15, 2013, a division bench of the Supreme Court had dealt with the issue of co-existence of the tiger and lion. The bench had taken note of the fact that Dr. Asad Rehmani, director, Bombay Natural History Society and a member of the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) had pointed out that presence of the tiger in Kuno was in no case detrimental to the re-introduction of lions.

Another member of the standing committee, Dr Divyabhanusinh Chavda, had also emphasized the need to create a second home for lions. However, the court had not taken into account the possibility of reverse movement of lions from Kuno to Ranthambore. Earlier, the Rajkot trust had filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the translocation of Gir lions to Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. But it had failed to mention the movement corridor between the two sanctuaries.

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