Friday, April 29, 2016

Another Etawah safari lion ill

| TNN |
Kanpur: Another lion is reportedly ill at the Etawah Lion Safari.

Safari sources said on Tuesday that veterinarians from IVRI, Bareilly and Mathura, besides Kanpur Zoo are attending the ailing Asiatic lion named Kuber. Blood and stool samples of the animal have been sent to IVRI, Bareilly for laboratory test.

"Four-and-a-half-year-old Kuber fell ill on April 16. We have got doctors from IVRI, Bareilly and Mathura, besides Kanpur zoo, who are looking after the lion. We are also in touch with director of animal operations, United Kingdom's Longleat Safari Park Jonathan Cracknell," lion safari director Sanjay Srivastava said.

Kuber and lioness Greeshma had mated in April last after they were brought from Lucknow zoo. Thereafter, Greeshma gave birth to three cubs in July, 2015 which were born prematurely and could not survive.

The lion safari project of the state government has reported eight deaths so far, three adults (a lion and two lionesses) and five cubs.

Four pair of Asiatic lions were brought for breeding between April and September 2014. One of the lioness died in October, followed by a lion on November 16, both reportedly of heart failure.

Two of the lionesses gave birth this summer, just four days apart in July. Two cubs from the first lioness died within 24 hours of birth and another two of the three that were born four days later also died shortly.
Lionesses Tapasya and Jessica were brought to Etawah safari along with lion Pataudi under an exchange programme from Sakkarbaugh zoo of Gujarat on December 28.

In February, a two-member team from Longleat Safari Park of UK organised an exercise session for four pairs of Asiatic lions at lion safari in Etawah.It was conducted by Mark Kingston and Christopher John and aimed at making the animals active and smart. In the process, they installed high wire and pole fight on the safari premises and involved the animals in various games in the presence of safari staff.

The experts had also given tips to the forest staff to keep the animals safe and healthy.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Another-Etawah-safari-lion-ill/articleshow/51901704.cms

No comments: