Etawah lion safari cheer: Two cubs born to Jessica

KANPUR: Etawah Lion Safari, which has been tottering in face of serial deaths of cubs for five years, has a big reason to cheer after lioness Jessica delivered two cubs, minutes after midnight on Saturday, taking the cub count to eight and paving way for successful rehabilitation of Asiatic lions.
The lioness and her litter are being kept under vigil and cubs’ gender is yet to be ascertained.The first 72 hours are crucial, said safari deputy director, Suresh Chandra Rajput.
Earlier, Jessica gave birth to six cubs, Sultan, Shimba, Bahubali, Bharat, Sona and Roopa and is the only lioness from Gir National Park, whose cubs have survived, raising hope of opening of the lion safari as it nears the cub count of 10, as per Central Zoo Authority norms.
Jessica, who was brought from Gir in December 2015, mated with Manan three months back and was expected to deliver in December second week, said wildlife officials.
One cub of Jessica died in 2019
Interestingly, all surviving cubs have been fathered by Manan. Only one cub of Jessica died in 2019 immediately after birth.
Safari authorities are taking steps to protect the newborns. “Jessica gave birth to its first cub at 12.08 am and the second at 1:13am. They have been kept in an enclosure and officials are monitor them through CCTV cameras. Jessica is feeding the cubs. Only the safari keeper and veterinary doctors are allowed in enclosure,” said Rajput.
Currently, the Etawah Lion Safari boasts of four lions and two lionesses, Jessica and Heer, and six cubs Sultan, Shimba, Bahubali, Bharat, Sona and Roopa, all born from Jessica.
Work on setting up the safari began in 2005, but environmental clearances were given in May 2013. Since 2014, the safari has recorded 10 deaths — two lions and three lionesses and five cubs.