The Asiatic lion news archive - 2006

Stories relating to the Asiatic lion and updates on the captive breeding programme from 2006.

DATELINE: June 25, 2006
Let politics not devour Gujarat's famous Gir lions

By Yashesh Chhaya: At the emotional level it is understandable that Gujarat feels a sense of proprietorship about the Asiatic lion. But at the ecological level as well as from the standpoint of the long-term survival of this majestic animal it makes no sense to prevent the transfer of some lions to another location.

The reaction has been strong among Gujarat's people to a proposed plan to shift one or two pride of lions to the Kuno wildlife park in Madhya Pradesh. The issue also runs the risk of being politicized. What lies behind the strongly negative reaction is a lack of understanding about what it takes for a substantial population of lions to not just survive but even flourish.

The Gir lions, despite their seemingly exalted status among all protected species, lead a life of confinement. The area within which they live in Gir is saturated and is diminishing as a habitat. The Gir forest is covered on all sides by large tracks of farmlands and villages and in the process it has become a fertile ground for man-animal conflict. There have been cases of Maldharis or the local herders retaliating by poisoning lions that prey on their cattle.

The pressure on the Gir forest has intensified because of Gujarat's rapid industrialization. There is a strange disconnect between the reaction to the idea of relocation and the way lions are often treated by those who live in their proximity. More often than not the man-animal conflict surrounding Gir becomes so accentuated that herders openly speak of hunting the Great Cats down. There have also been some cases of lion cubs falling into wells or getting trapped in the electrified fences and dying.

One major disadvantage of living in a confined area is that in the event of breakout of any disease, the lions would be particularly vulnerable. There have been recorded instances of domesticated dogs having spread a deadly virus among the African lions and having caused many deaths. It is unwise to keep the entire stock of the Asiatic lion confined to a relatively small habitat in case a disease were to strike. It is not altogether inconceivable that in such an event we stand to lose the entire population.

Another significant threat comes from diluting the genetic pool by letting lions interbreed. Since the Gir lion is confined, the incidence of interbreeding is considerable. In the long-term this dilution in the gene pool is counterproductive.

The Kuno national park, on the other hand, offers a highly suitable location to shift a small group of lions. The park has been created spending tens of millions of rupees. It has a sizable population of herbivorous animals such as blue bulls and spotted deer, which in turn ensure conditions to survive and flourish for the lions.

Part of the reason why the people of Gujarat have reacted unfavourably to shifting is the misinformation that they will lose the entire population of lions to Madhya Pradesh. The proposal is to shift a very small group. It makes eminent sense to shift five to ten lions to Kuno on an experimental basis.

There have been cases of significant breeding among the lions at the Sakkarbagh Zoo in Junagadh, the town nearest to the Gir forest. The zoo authorities have been forced to curb this proliferation through sterilization. Rather than controlling the breeding within the zoo it would much wiser to let it continue and release the newborns in the wild at Kuno. This practice has been followed in Africa with success.

Gujarat had just 12 lions in 1920. Protection extended by the Nawab of Junagadh eventually helped increase that population to some 300 now. It is beneficial to move some lions to another location.

The Asiatic lion is as much a symbol of Gujarat as it is of India. It would be unwise to bring parochial sentiments as well as parochial politics into this very important issue. Instead of letting politicians decide, we should involve scientists from the Wildlife Institute of Dehra Dun and follow their recommendation. After all they understand the science of preservation better than any politician.

(Yashesh Chhaya is a Chicago-based wildlife enthusiast who has studied Gujarat's wildlife for over two decades. He can be reached at chhayava40@yahoo.com)

Source: newkerela.com
http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=13556