Sajjangarh biological park to get pair of lions from Gujarat

Udaipur: By the end of July, Udaipur is expected to welcome a pair of lions from Sakkarbaug Zoological Park in Junagadh in Gujarat as part of an animal exchange programme. The forest department is finalising the date for their arrival, which will be decided in an upcoming meeting. These lions will be housed in the new lion safari being prepared at Sajjangarh Biological Park.
The lion safari project, costing Rs 3.45 crore, aims to enhance the appeal of the biological park established in 2015. The safari will span 26 hectares and feature a holding area and a display area for the lions, which can accommodate up to eight lions.
While the project was initially scheduled for completion by September, monsoon delays pushed the expected finish date to November. In the interim, the lions will be kept in the existing enclosures at Gulab Bagh Zoo.
In exchange, Sajjangarh Biological Park will provide Sakkarbaug Zoo with two pairs of foxes, one pair of hyenas, two pairs of jackals, a pair of wild cats, and two chinkaras. The Central Zoo Authority approved the transfer of the lions in Feb, to boost tourism in Udaipur by starting the lion safari before the year’s end. In addition to the lion safari, the bio park is expanding its facilities to include a reptile section, a nocturnal animals’ section, and a leopard rescue centre.