MUMBAI: The Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo, popularly known as Rani Baug, in Byculla is a step closer to getting Asiatic lions. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed the state administration to complete the formalities for a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Junagadh’s Sakkarbaug Zoo and the Mumbai zoo at the earliest.
The direction came after Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde met Patel at the Chief Minister’s residence in Gandhinagar on Wednesday, November 4, to push the proposal. In a post on social media, the Mayor said the meeting was positive and fruitful.
Following the meeting, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will soon receive a written approval letter from the Gujarat government, along with a draft of the MoU.
Two pairs of lions for three pairs of capuchins
Under the proposal, Sakkarbaug Zoo will give two pairs of Asiatic lions, two males and two females, to Rani Baug. In return, the Mumbai zoo will send three pairs of tufted capuchin monkeys to Sakkarbaug. Both zoos have already agreed to the exchange.
An international-standard enclosure for the lions is already ready at the Mumbai zoo, built as per the master layout plan approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), New Delhi.
Who was at the meeting
Besides Patel and Tawde, the meeting was attended by Dhrangadhra MLA Prakashbhai Varmora, Principal Secretary in the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office Sanjeev Kumar, Quality Council of India chairperson Jaxay Shah, BMC’s Director (Zoo) Dr Sanjay Tripathi and other officials.
Tawde called the move a special Diwali gift for Mumbaikars and a symbol of shared natural heritage, wildlife conservation and goodwill between Maharashtra and Gujarat.
No lion at Rani Baug since 2014
The Byculla zoo has been without a lion since 2014, when its last lion, Jimmy, died. An earlier attempt in 2019 to bring lions from Sakkarbaug in exchange for other animals did not go through. Earlier this year, Tawde wrote to Patel seeking two pairs of lions for the city zoo.