This story is from September 30, 2019

Etawah safari: Siesta time for Gujarat lions after 1,000-km drive

The five adults - Jessica, Kunwari, Gigo, Heer and Manan - and two cubs have been lodged in the breeding centre at safari.Their first meal was frugal, a serving of 4kg-5kg meat.
Etawah safari: Siesta time for Gujarat lions after 1,000-km drive
LUCKNOW: After an exhausting journey, covering over 1,000km by road in 50 hours, including a 12-hour break at Udaipur and one of three hours in Jaipur, the seven lions from Junagarh zoo in Gujarat have been catching up on sleep since reaching Etawah safari on Thursday.
The five adults - Jessica, Kunwari, Gigo, Heer and Manan - and two cubs have been lodged in the breeding centre at safari.
Their first meal was frugal, a serving of 4kg-5kg meat.
Shifting seven lions via the highway connecting Gujarat, Rajasthan and UP was a challenge. There were two trucks, one with four cages and the other three. The cages were so placed that lions could see each other and not feel claustrophobic. Tarpaulin covered the truck rear to keep the big cats away from the sight of commuters, but enough ventilation was ensured to prevent discomfort and stress to them. "The idea was to expose the lions to minimum possible stress, if at all," said Etawah Lion Safari director V K Singh.
The cages, fabricated at the workshop in Junagarh zoo, were designed to easily accommodate a lion each while not providing space for movement. Instead of grilles, the cages were made of iron mesh and plywood to keep them light and safe since animals tend to injure themselves. Four veterinary doctors accompanied the felines and kept a check on their health.
Four keepers from Etawah had stayed with the cats, five of whom are females, in Junagarh zoo for three months to become familiar and understand their behaviour. These four keepers are now looking after them.
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