Mumbai, May 18 (PTI) Mumbai's Byculla Zoo has received in-principle approval from Gujarat's Sakkarbaug Zoological Park to acquire four Asiatic lions in exchange for giraffes, rhinos, or capuchin monkeys,
officials said on Monday.
As per an official communication shared by a BMC spokesperson, the Junagadh-based facility agreed to the proposal to provide the big cats to Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo, subject to approvals from the competent authority and the Central Zoo Authority.
The letter, dated May 6, stated that Sakkarbaug Zoo may provide two male and two female Asiatic lions to the Mumbai facility in exchange for either two giraffes, a pair of Indian one-horned rhinoceros or three pairs of capuchin monkeys.
Earlier in February, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde had written to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel requesting that two pairs of Asiatic lions be provided to the city zoo as a goodwill gesture.
"The exchange programme shall be undertaken as per the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority, and subject to fulfilment of all veterinary, quarantine, transportation, and statutory requirements," the letter read. PTI KK ARU
