Rani Baug may get lions again after 12 years, with four Asiatic lions planned from Gujarat

Lions may be seen again at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, better known as Rani Baug, in Byculla after a gap of 12 years. Preparations have begun to bring four Asiatic lions to Mumbai from the Sakkarbaug zoo in Junagadh, Gujarat.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Gandhinagar on November 4. After the meeting, Gujarat officials have been directed to complete quickly the administrative process needed for the transfer of the lions. The process of drafting a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will also now begin.

Under the proposed animal exchange, four Asiatic lions, two male and two female, will be brought from Sakkarbaug zoo to Rani Baug in Mumbai. In return, three pairs of capuchin monkeys from Rani Baug will be given to Gujarat. Both zoos are reported to have agreed to the proposal.

The last lion at Rani Baug, named Jimmy, died in 2014 after a long illness. Since then, visitors have not been able to see the big cat at Rani Baug for 12 years. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had tried earlier too to bring lions from Gujarat, but those efforts did not succeed because of difficulties in exchanging animals and administrative approvals.

A special enclosure has been built at Rani Baug for the lions' arrival. It has been developed under the master plan approved by the Central Zoo Authority. An attempt has been made to recreate the natural environment of Gir there. The enclosure has caves, a water source, shaded spots for rest, trees and enough space for the lions to move about freely.

With the Gujarat Chief Minister having given directions, the administrative process is now expected to move faster. However, the Mumbai civic body is yet to receive formal written approval and the draft MoU. The lions will be transferred only after the required administrative and regulatory approvals are obtained. If the whole process is completed, lions could return to Rani Baug after 12 years, and they would be a major attraction for Mumbaikars and visitors to the zoo.