Ground Reality

The upcoming Lion Safari in Etawah is faced with a gigantic challenge of ensuring survival of the Endangered Asiatic Lions.The death of translocated  lions and their five cubs has ripped open chinks in the Park,'s management which should not lose the rare animals so easily    Sudden death of A lioness Tapsaya  this week after developing infection within  week of arriving there from Junagadh has jolted the state government driving  it to realize the gravity of situation.    Total 523 Asiatic Lions are left in the   World and India is its only home globally.The African Lions have already been put on the red list.     The Etawah Safari was given three Lions last week by Gujarat. While Tapsaya died of tick and worm disease, two others Pataudi and Jessica have been moved to breeding centre.At least half a dozen Lions are already there. Authorities feel that breeding programme would be a success     Unfortunately, fiv...

Silence of Yamuna-Chambal ravines,once notorious for gun toting dacoits near jungles of Etawah in the Hindi heartland state of Uttar Pradesh, is now shattered by loud roars.      At  least half a dozen Asian  lions  walk leisurely with majestic gait amid pastel rich and  green patches of their paddock  in the Animal House in  upcoming safari . Bewitching spectacle of  Lions basking in sun shine leave their keepers awe struck.    They are bubbling  with enthusiasms and await anxiously for the day when locked gates pave way for tourists flocks.         Authorities deputed for the uphill task are burning  midnight  oil to ensure that the safari opens to tourists soon. They appear elated over reports of Indian Veterinary Research Institute experts from Chennai that  the breeding center, functional there, is fit to have cubs and the climate will not com...