Rajkot, July 28 (IANS) The Rajkot Zoo has recorded birth of three more Asiatic lion cubs, taking its total Asiatic lion population to 20 and marking another successful breeding event at the municipal zoo, officials said on Tuesday.
The cubs were born to male lion ‘Dhananjay’ and lioness ‘Dharti’ on the night of July 22, following a gestation period of 107 days. Both the mother and the three cubs are reportedly healthy.
Officials said the zoo’s veterinary officer and staff are monitoring the lioness and her cubs round the clock through CCTV to ensure their well-being.
The latest birth comes just over a month after another successful breeding at the zoo. On June 11, lioness ‘Dhara’ gave birth to three cubs, which are also reported to be healthy.
“Rajkot Zoo, managed by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, has been developed in a modern manner under the guidance of the Central Zoo Authority of India. As a result, it has become one of the finest tourist attractions in the Saurashtra region. A large number of visitors visit the zoo during public holidays and festivals, and approximately seven lakh visitors visit the zoo every year,” officials said.
They added that under the Wildlife Exchange Programme, Rajkot Zoo has acquired different species of animals and birds from zoos across India to strengthen its collection.
Zoo officials said the natural forest-like environment at Rajkot Zoo has proved suitable for breeding of Asiatic lions and white tigers, contributing to repeated successful breeding.
With the latest births, the zoo now houses 20 Asiatic lions, comprising four adult males, eight adult females, two sub-adult males and six cubs.
Officials noted that, including the three newborns, 58 Asiatic lion cubs have been born at Rajkot Zoo since it began its breeding programme. Under the Wildlife Exchange Programme, the zoo has supplied lions to several institutions in return for other animal and bird species.
These include zoos at Mysuru, Hyderabad, Chhatbir in Punjab, Lucknow, Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, Kankaria in Ahmedabad and Sakkarbaug in Junagadh, among others.
The zoo currently houses 614 animals and birds representing 70 species.
–IANS
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