MP says Kuno Palpu sanctuary can house 60 Asiatic lions

12-11-2009
MP says Kuno Palpu sanctuary can house 60 Asiatic lions
Press Trust of India
http://www.ptinews.com/news/373442_MP-says-Kuno-Palpu-sanctuary-can-house-60-Asiatic-lions

Waiting anxiously to bring the 'king of the jungle' to Kuno Palpur sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh Government has claimed that the park spread over 900 sq kms can house as many as 60 Asiatic lions.

With Gujarat Government refusing to part with its "pride" from Girnar forests which is the only habitat of lions in the country, the Centre has proposed "soft release" of the zoo-bred lions in Kuno Palpur sanctuary as an alternate home to the animal.

The Centre has already identified pure-gene Asiatic lions in the Delhi and Hyderabad zoos for relocating them in Kuno Palpur with an aim to strengthen the population of the endangered species in the country.

"Almost 60 lions can be accomodated in the sanctuary having 900 sq km of buffer area.