This story is from August 24, 2020

Get, set, roar: Tryst with lions oncards at Etawah Safari by Sept

Get, set, roar: Tryst with lions oncards at Etawah Safari by Sept
Lucknow: Come September, you may expect a tryst with lions at Etawah Safari.
After getting a go ahead from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), authorities at Etawah Lion Safari are planning to release the cubs in safari area next month. The final decision, however, will be taken after due consultation with the district administration.
At present, the Etawah Safari has seven cubs of varying age, and 11 adults, which are lodged in animal houses in the safari.

While granting approval for the Etawah Lion Safari in 2012-13, CZA had fixed the minimum limit of 10 cubs for opening of the facility for public.
The Etawah Safari was thrown open for the public in November last year but the wait for lion segment continued as the norms laid by CZA were not fulfilled.
Later, the Safari authorities wrote to CZA requesting for relaxation of norms regarding the minimum count of cubs. Doing away with the rider of minimum cubs, CZA granted permission to safari administration to open the lion segment for public.
“We had written to CZA seeking relaxation in norms for the opening of lion safari as many wildlife safaris in the country are running with hardly one or two animals. Finally, CZA agreed to relax restrictions for us,” said director, Etawah Safari, VK Singh.

“We have completed preparations for the opening of lion segment but it will be done in consultation with the district administration in view of Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
The 50 hectare safari area, where the cubs will be released, is divided into two parts of 27 hectare and 23 hectare. Cubs will be released in both the parts.
“We will continue to keep a watch on cubs. As and when we notice that they are ready for mating we would put them back in the breeding centre,” Singh said.
‘Releasing’ soon: Bahubali, Simba & Sultan
Named after Bollywood blockbusters ‘Bahubali’, ‘Sultan’ and ‘Simba’, three of the seven cubs at Etawah safari are ready to steal the show when the lion segment opens for public.
All the three are siblings, aged around 3-4 years, are born to the same lioness, Jessica.
The revelry as well as rivalry between Simba and Sultan is there for all to see.
According to safari officials, the two ‘teenage’ brothers have been vying for female attention.
Etawah Safari director VK Singh said Simba and Sultan bond very well. “When one takes ill or feel low on energy and refuses to eat, the other offers its own food to show love. The two often sleep with their legs and arms thrown over each other,” he added.
Three other siblings – Rupa, Sona and Bharat – aged more than a year, play among themselves. Another cub, born in April this year, is too young to be released in the safari now.
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