Rajkot: Eight lions that were captured near Jetpur town in Rajkot district are languishing in Junagadh’s Sakkarbaug zoo instead of moving around freely in their natural habitat for a month now.
The lions were captured after Jetpur MLA and minister Jayesh Radadia had written to the state government seeking shifting of the felines from the area claiming that villagers were living in constant fear.
Strangely, forest department officials cite administrative and jurisdiction issues for the reason for delay in releasing the lions into their natural abode.
The department did not reply to the representations of wildlife activists who opposed the capturing of the lions ‘without any reason.’
The lions have neither attacked any human in and around Jetpur nor they have any health issues which could necessitate their prolonged stay in captivity.
DT Vasavda, chief conservator of forest (wildlife circle) told TOI: “There are multiple forest divisions involved in this case. The lions were captured from the social forestry division of Rajkot by Junagadh circle, but their custody is with wildlife circle. We have to jointly decide the habitat of these eight lions while releasing them in wild.”
Bhushan Pandya, a member of state wildlife board, had shot a letter to chairperson of wildlife board and chief minister raising objection against capturing the lions without any valid reasons.
“There was no human-animal conflict and none of the lions was found aggressive. If the forest department found it necessary to shift them from human habitat, they should have been released in the forest and not kept the zoo,” his letter dated January 30 states.
Activists also expressed apprehension that if there are no checks on the forest department, they may capture more lions in the future for no reason.
Revtubha Raijada, a wildlife activist said, “As per the normal procedure, a captured lion is released into the forest within two-three days once found medically fit.
According to experts, if the lions are required to be kept under observation, they should be released within a week, lest they lose their wildness.