breakingtravelnews.in
It is a joyous occasion for Night Safari, the world’s first wildlife park for nocturnal animals is an eight-time winner of the Best Visitor Attraction Experience, as its initial attempt at breeding Asian lions became a reality with the successful births of three cubs, two males and a female —the sire and dam, Khapat and Amba, arrived from India in March this year as part of an animal exchange programme. The cubs are currently housed with their mother in an off-exhibit area. Visitors will be able to see them along the tram route early next year. The Asian lion is listed as endangered under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
“We are pleased that the Asian lions have adapted well at the Night Safari. This resounding success with our first attempt at breeding the endangered Asian lion brings great joy especially as the lions have only been at the park since last March. The births are in line with the zoo’s objective to boost the population of endangered species,” said Kumar Pillai, Assistant Director, Zoology, Night Safari. Asian lions once prowled a range that spanned from the Middle East to India. Now, only 300 or so of these magnificent animals survive in the wild, mainly in India’s Gir Forest. Once royal hunting grounds, it has since been converted into a reserve where the endangered Asian lions are heavily protected. An additional 200 Asian lions live in zoos. Currently, Night Safari has three male African and six Asian lions, which are kept separately.