Modi, Chouhan continue sparring over translocation of lions

INDIA TODAY 

Devika Chaturvedi  New Delhi, September 4, 2013 | UPDATED 15:54 IST 

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-translocation-of-asiatic-lions-asiatic-lion-gir-forests-kuno-palpur-sanctuary/1/305463.html

 

Asiatic lions are listed as endangered by the IUCN due to their small population. 

The frayed tempers between the Gujarat and the Madhya Pradesh government along with the judicial activism on the issue of the translocation of the Asiatic lion from its last abode in the Gir forests to the Kuno-Palpur sanctuary in MP may not cool down anytime soon. The hard-hitting Supreme Court verdict on April 15 forced the Gujarat government to agree to the translocation in what had become a fight for state pride and resulted in much jarring between the two BJP-ruled states.

In retaliation, Gujarat government filed a review petition in May. Although the verdict on the petition was still pending a 12 member committee was formed by the ministry of forest and environment for the translocation of lions. The panel, which met in Delhi on July 29 for a maiden meeting, comprised pro-shifting experts Ravi Chellam and Y V Jhala who are the brains behind the translocation plan to decide on the number of lions to be shifted. 

Gujarat government had put forth its arguments against the move but environmentalists slammed it by saying that the lions were being caught in a political tussle between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Significantly, the battle over the translocation had taken an ugly turn. Modi had refused to entertain the request of his MP counterpart Chouhan government to agree to the translocation. Many government officials and local activists in Gujarat questioned that is conserving the lion really MP's aim or does it basically want to enhance its tourism?
Dineshgiri Goswami, green activist from Kodinar based Prakruti Nature Club, says "I do not think anybody is thinking about the lion but the battle is becoming more political. Forest officers appearing in court do not care for the lions." Goswami threatened self-immolation if lions are shifted.

As a much needed boost to the Gujarat government, a Mumbai based NGO, Empower Foundation, presented a study on lion translocation. They stated that lions should not be translocated and be allowed to migrate naturally. The study also found that the Gujarat government has not powerfully positioned the fact that the lion habitat in Gujarat goes much beyond Gir.

Over a period of time lions have migrated naturally hundreds of kilometers away to places like Amreli, Savarkundla, Liliya Porbandar, Paniya, Mitiyala, Barda, Una, Chhara, Sutrapada, Babariya, Kodinar, Visavadar, Hipavadli, Jamvada, Jasadhar, Girnar, Bhavnagar and Palitana. 

"The 1,412 sq km abode of Asiatic lions has now spread across 10,500 sq km, thus mitigating concentration risk in one area," explained Jalpesh Mehta, founder chairman, Empower Foundation. Thus, the spread of an epidemic which was the primary argument of wildlife activists and biologists seeking translocation does not hold true, according to him.
 
One would not, however, undermine Gujarat's valid concerns about the security of the lions in Madhya Pradesh. Asiatic lions are listed as endangered by the IUCN due to their small population. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, C.N.Pandey says, "Success of lion conservation in Gujarat may largely be attributed to the tolerant, friendly and supportive local people. This is missing at Kuno Palpur."

Another major concern is that Madhya Pradesh is major poaching arena with a strong gun culture. According to several cases reported in the past the 'tiger state' lost its moniker when 453 tigers out of 710 (63% loss) were killed in last decade alone. The state as per the 2011 census has only 257 tigers left. 

The loss of tiger in Madhya Pradesh was 50 per cent of the total loss of the tigers across the world. Palpur Kuno had 25 tigers earlier but reduced to a shameful figure of two in the present time. Sheopur district also has 4800 fire arm licenses for a population of six lakh. As these are licensed guns, one cannot assess the illegal fire arms present in the area.

Risks cannot be ruled out, but these risks must be taken considering the larger benefits for the species, feels Dr Rahul Kaul, Chief Ecologist, Wildlife Trust of India. He observes: "Long-term viability of lions or any other wildlife will benefit greatly if there are multiple populations. Restricting the animals to a single population, however big, can make them extremely vulnerable to stochastic extinctions."   

International Fund for Animal Welfare - Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI) has undertaken relocation of animals in the northeast India. "Working with the Assam Forest Department and Bodoland Territorial Council authorities, we have aided in reintroduction of rhinos in Manas after its entire population was wiped out during the civil unrest of 80s and 90s. With advancement of science and understanding, proper planning and effective implementation, the degree of success has increased and can be increased further. Anyway, in cases like these, the possibility of success must matter more than the fear of failure," says Kaul.

Clearly in this battle MP has an upper hand but with the endangered animals at stake the issues may have become more political than ecological. And while one smile and the other sulks a species survival is at risk.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-translocation-of-asiatic-lions-asiatic-lion-gir-forests-kuno-palpur-sanctuary/1/305463.html

Letter to IUCN gave goosebumps to Madhya Pradesh

An NGO refuted MPs' desire ~ Mumbai based NGO acted bold as brass to the Lions translocation issue


These are the translation of the below report published by a Hindi language newspaper

Certainly, the letter to IUCN and other international wildlife bodies washed the desire of Kuno Palpur for translocation to an extent, and the media support to the NGO boiled the blood of MP for sure. There is a long chain of media publishing against the translocation project one after another which clearly portrays exactly what people want, unfortunately still it's not able to open the eyes of the troop of happy and crazy chimps. Further this report states, the translocation shouldn't happen, because the habitat of Kuno is totally unsuitable for Lions. The report reveals the details of the letter we wrote to IUCN for the intervention in this matter.

However, in middle of the report, it's written that after Hon'. SC supported the translocation, Gujrat had no other option than to be on their knees and plea the NGO for protest. "This is a totally unfamiliar notice for us even" for which Empower foundation is strongly against as this statement tries to tie a knot between the Gujrat Govt and the NGO. NGO has made very clear from the first day that its not riding on any political chariot, and just fighting for Wildlife and nothing else.

Where this report quotes Empowers' statements and reveals the facts as why this translocation is necessary to be reviewed, it also quotes an wildlife activist from MP (Ajay Dubey) who opposes the NGO and comments in favor of translocation. 

The wildlife activist is the president of a MP based NGO (Prayatna). Ajay is associated with wildlife since years and has achieved countless appreciations for his dedication and work for Tigers in MP. Let me take you to some more details of the activist. Ajay fought against illegal mining in MP reserve forests, and also filed several RTIs and PILs in this respect. The story didn't ended here till he fought to the Hon' Supreme Court for the same. The activist also fought strongly against Tiger tourism in MP tiger reserves for years. He also plead the apex court to direct MP to notify buffer zones in all its tiger reserves and ban commercial tourism in critical tiger habitats. "Unless the core and buffer zones are notified, a tiger reserve is technically not a tiger reserve. This is a prerequisite for the preparation of the tiger conservation plan as required by WLPA" says the activist. Ajay raised the issue of Tiger poaching in MP throwing the reason being heavy tourism and near to no security for wildlife, and strongly stood against it. Dubey brilliantly raised the issue of the knot between the Tiger reserve officials and poachers to the CM of MP and demanded CBI probe for the same.

Okay.. enough of Ajay Dubey the famous wildlife activist, but let see how the news paper column quoted him for the translocation subject. The newspaper quoted below: 

"Ajay Dubey, president of the NGO, Prayatn, said that SC already pronounced the verdict for translocation. In such a case, writing to any international organization for their intervention is wrong. He had wrote to Wildlife and forest minister Ms. Jayanti Natrajan and requested to get the translocation happen ASAP".

Sorry friends, but I don't have enough understanding and skills to compare the activists' thoughts for Tigers and Lions. Please.. try if you could?

Although, irrespective of whatever the MP lovers are quoting and planning, this report surely gave goosebumps to MP as well as those happy and crazy chimps, and the fight is still on. Moreover I could say the fight has caught the heat..

~ Black Pearl

Empower Foundation escalates to IUCN to intervene in the Lion Translocation Issue

August 10 : Happy World Lions Day !!! (Aug 10) 

The Times of India, The Hindustan Times and The MiD-Day covers….Mumbai NGO “Empower Foundation's escalation to IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) to intervene in the Lion Translocation Issue” Citing :

(1) 29 Serious Violations of IUCN Guidelines covering areas like Core Reason, Habitat, Climatic requirements, Animal Welfare, Social Feasibility, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Assessment, Exit Strategy etc.
(2) 12 Adverse Conditions in proposed translocation site at Kuno Palpur, MP. Which could lead to a failed translocation.
(3) Serious Animal Right Issue of translocating a pride of Lions to Kuno and every 3 to 5 years moving the Male Lion from the Wild to captivity in Zoo and by replacing a new Wild Male Lion from Gir !

Happy Lions Day and Week to all the Wildlife Lovers and look forward for some more active enthusiasts joining this movement. Pls call Black Pearl on (Chandigarh/Delhi +91 76962 08033) or Jalpesh Mehta (Mumbai+91 98194 38900) or Amit Kanungu (Kolkata/Nagpur+91 96747 52050) or Nupur Kothari (Mumbai+91 98330 01800)

Team Save our Lions
[Website] :  www.saveourlions.blogspot.com
[FB] : https://www.facebook.com/saveourlions.empower
[E]saveourlions@gmail.com/empowerfoundation@gmail.com

NGO seeks global body’s intervention to stop translocation

Hindustan Times (Bhopal), Ssarkar@hindustantimes.com, 10 Aug 2013

There has been no successful lion translocation in the past in the country 

Jalpesh Meha

Founder chairperson, Empower Foundation

Sravani Sarkar 

On eve of the World Lions Day (August 10), a Mumbai-based NGO has sought intervention of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - the oldest global environment network - on the issue of the translocation of Asiatic Lions from Gir in Gujarat to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. 

The NGO - Empower Foundation - has been opposing the translocation of lions - saying that the conditions are adverse in the proposed site of Kuno Palpur and that serious animal rights’ issues are involved with the entire process. The organization is rather insisting on increasing habitat availability for lions through restoration, connectivity, corridor establishment, habitat protection and natural movement of lions.

Now, the NGO has also said that the translocation would amount to serious violations of IUCN guidelines on 29 counts and has urged the IUCN authorities to appoint an international expert/team of experts to intervene in the matter and guide the authorities in two states.

The founder chairperson of the Empower Foundation, Jalpesh Mehta has written to the IUCN authorities including the chairman of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) Reintroduction Specialist Group Dr Frederic Launay seeking this intervention. In the letter to the authorities, the NGO has given details of all the 29 guidelines violation and the 12 adverse conditions in Kuno Palpur (based on NGO’s own study) to draw attention of the international body.

The translocation issue is hanging fire between two states - Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh since more than a decade. Recently, the Supreme Court mandated translocation of Lions to MP, but Gujarat government filed a review petition pointing out that the decision was one-sided and highlighting the poaching culture of MP (50% of world’s tigers over the last decade were poached in MP).

“We have been working on this issue since a while and in a situation where there has been no successful lion translocation in the past in the country and concerned persons having no expertise on Lions, we thought it apt to seek the intervention of IUCN,” Mehta said while talking to HT.

He added that the Empower foundation was not against translocation, but concerned with the end result. “We simply want to save lions from being pushed to extinction,” he said.

IUCN help sought to oppose translocation

Hindustan Times, Sravani Sarkar, August 10, 2013

NGO opposes movement of Gir beasts to MP claiming adverse conditions

BHOPAL: On eve of the World Lions Day ( August 10), a Mumbai-based NGO has sought intervention of International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN) - the oldest global environment network - on the issue of the translocation of Asiatic Lions from Gir in Gujarat to Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh. 

The NGO - Empower Foundation - has been opposing the translocation of lions - saying that the conditions are adverse in the proposed site of Kuno Palpur and that serious animal rights’ issues are involved with the entire process. The organization is rather insisting on increasing habitat availability for lions through restoration, connectivity, corridor establishment, habitat protection and natural movement of lions. 

Now, the NGO has also said that the translocation would amount to serious violations of IUCN guidelines on 29 counts and has urged the IUCN authorities to appoint an international expert/team of experts to intervene in the matter and guide the authorities in two states. 

The founder chairperson of the Empower Foundation, Jalpesh Mehta has written to the IUCN authorities including the chairman of the Species Survival Commission ( SSC) Reintroduction Specialist Group Dr Frederic Launay seeking this intervention. In the letter to the authorities, the NGO has given details of all the 29 guidelines violation and the 12 adverse conditions in Kuno Palpur (based on NGO’s own study) to draw attention of the international body. 

The translocation issue is hanging fire between two states - Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh since more than a decade. Recently, the Supreme Court mandated translocation of Lions to MP, but Gujarat government filed a review petition pointing out that the decision was one-sided and highlighting the poaching culture of MP (50% of world’s tigers over the last decade were poached in MP).

“We have been working on this issue since a while and in a situation where there has been no successful Lion translocation in the past in the country and concerned persons having no expertise on Lions, we thought it apt to seek the intervention of IUCN,” Mehta said while talking to HT. He added that the Empower foundation was not against translocation, but concerned with the end result. “We want to save lions from being pushed to extinction,” he said. 

'Don't relocate Gir lions'

MID-DAY:  August 11, 2013, Mumbai, Ranjeet Jadhav

On the occasion of World Lions Day, city NGO writes to international conservation body to put pressure and prevent relocation of Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh

Many aspects need to be considered while thinking of relocating animals. Mumbai-based NGO, Empower Foundation, has written a letter to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) for intervention in the Lion Translocation issue between two states, citing 29 guideline violations, on the eve of World Lions Day.

The NGO feels that translocation of lions from Gujarat to Madhya Pradesh should not be done, as not only it will have a negative impact on the population of lions but chances of poaching will also increase.

Appoint an expert 

Speaking to SUNDAY MiD DAY, Founder chairman of NGO Empower Foundation, Jalpesh Mehta, said, “We are not against translocation, but how, where and the end result is our concern. We have urged IUCN to appoint an international lion expert or a team to save the lions from being pushed into death beds (see box).”

Against judgment
 
In June this year, the team analysed 10 global failures of translocations and submitted a report citing 12 adverse conditions of the proposed translocation site in Kuno Palpur, which would be fatal for the lions. 

“Translocation is a serious animal rights issue.  The Supreme Court judgment dated April 15, 2013 states the proposal of translocating a pride of Lions to Kuno, and every three to five years, moving the male lion from the wild to captivity in zoo. This is a sheer violation of Wildlife rights and is a cause for grave concern,” added Mehta. Empower Foundation is also involved in various other activities to conserve the Asiatic Lions and build awareness on the issue.

Born free and living free
The list of issues raised by Empower Foundation include:

Poaching hub: MP is a major poaching ground, as it has lost 453 tigers out of 710 in a decade with 257 tigers remaining according to the 2011 Census.
 
Location: Situated on the border of MP, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, poaching, infiltration and allied crime probablilty is very high
 
Water: Kuno-Palpur forest has very less water sources unlike the Gir region
 
Temperatures: The minimum temperature is 2°C, while the maximum 49°C. This is fatal for lions

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2013/aug/110813-mumbai-dont-relocate-gir-lions.htm

   

Translocation plan violates important IUCN guidelines

Mumbai NGO Writes To International Body, Seeks Its Intervention

The Times of India, August 10, 2013, Saturday
Himanshu Kaushik | TNN


Ahmedabad: On the occasion of World Lion Day on August 10, a Mumbai-based non-governmental organization, Empower Foundation, has written to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for its guidance and involvement in the translocation of Asiatic lions from Gir National park to Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
 
The foundation had earlier submitted a report to the state government highlighting the adverse conditions that prevailed in the proposed translocation site. It had also analyzed 10 translocations across the globe which had failed. Further, the NGO had cited 12 adverse conditions at Kuno-Palpur which could prove fatal for the lions.

In his letter to Dr Frederic Launay (chairperson of the IUCN SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group), Jalpesh Mehta, founder-chairperson of Empower Foundation, has said that the NGO is not against translocation. He says that it is farcical in the case of the Gir lions that the petitioner and the party interested in translocation are both part of the deciding or recommending and advising body on the issue. 

“Since the matter has become political with various people having vested interests, the only solution is international intervention in the matter, keeping in mind wildlife welfare first and the rest later,” Mehta says in the letter. The NGO requested IUCN to get involved by either appointing an international lion expert or a team of lion experts who could guide “the self-claiming wildlife experts who may be having some expertise in tigers, birds or hospitality among others but not lions for sure, but are keen to try their hands at lions to get some experience and visibility at the cost of the precious wildlife.”

Key IUCN guidelines violated

Guideline 3.2:

There should generally be strong evidence that the threat(s) that caused any previous extinction have been correctly identified and removed or sufficiently reduced.

NGO's view: The previous threats of extinction to tigers in Kuno Palpur came from poaching. This has neither been reduced nor removed. In fact, it has increased. Sariska and Panna tiger reserves lost all their tigers in the recent past due to poaching. Madhya Pradesh has become India's poaching capital and, in the last decade, was responsible for 50% of the world poaching of tigers.

Guideline 3.6:

Justifying a conservation introduction requires an especially high level of confidence about the organisms' performance after release, including over the long-term, with reassurance on its acceptability from the perspective of the release area's ecology, and the social and economic interests of its human communities.

NGO's View: Three accounts of forest dependence on the periphery of the Kuno sanctuary by Dr. Asmita Kabra, Samrakshan Trust, state that from time to time, the sanctuary had provided refuge to various tribes of Chambal. The gun culture of today is also a public fact. The Sahariya and Ladar tribes depend mainly on the forest for its produce and hunting.

Guideline (3.8):

Where a high degree of uncertainty remains or it is not possible to assess reliably that a conservation introduction presents low risks, it should not proceed, and alternative conservation solutions should be sought

NGO's View:

Lions in Gujarat are not limited to 1412 sq km of Gir National Park and Sanctuary but have migrated naturally and are living successfully over 10500 sq km across Saurashtra region. There is a need to correct the perception of there being a risk to the lions dure to their concentration in one forest.

Guideline 4.2:

A monitoring process, data requirement, methods, protocols, responsibility matrix for collection, analysis and dissemination of information is an important aspect [of translocation]. A multidisciplinary team with access to expert technical advice for all phases of the programme [is a must].

NGO's view:

Monitoring process, data requirement, methods, protocols, responsibility matrix for collection, analysis and dissemination of information are missing in the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh. Further, formation of an inexperienced team without any experience or expertise in dealing with lions also violates this guideline. Tiger conservationists, bird experts and hoteliers are not equipped to handle this programme.

Guideline 5.1.2:

Matching habitat suitability and availability with the needs of the candidate species is central to feasibility and design.

NGO's view: The proposed habitat in Kuno-Palpur, outside the indigenous range of lions, is unsuitable for the big cats. This challenges the 'feasibility and design' clause of the IUCN. The biggest concern, besides the adverse topography and terrain, is the prey base. The overall prey-base of all animals per sq km had showed a growth of 79%. On the face of it, this calls for a global conservation award to Kuno. The anger of the displaced local tribes also poses a challenge to translocation efforts.  

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/NGO-writes-to-international-body-seeking-its-intervention-for-a-review/articleshow/21742888.cms

                                                                               

  

"NO" for Kuno ~ Speak before it's too late

The whole planet knows the one and only resort for last 400 Asiatic Lions is Gir National Forest of India. Undoubtedly, Gir went far behind the limits to protect the last Asiatic Lions and bring up the number from 12 to 400 in past several decades. The contribution Gujrat govt made on grounds of conservation, in past several decades, cannot be ruled out. However, since Gir has contributed so much, and the Lion population is brought to it's limit which can be hold by the forest, Lions are now finding their way out of the forest boundaries. Today, Lions are not only limited to Gir Forest, but  has spread over a very large area all over the Saurashtra region, which is why it's very urgent to find a second home for teh Gir Lions. The idea for finding a second home was aroused decades back, and for which central and state govt has worked very sensitively.


For this translocation project, out of 3 places, Kuno was found to be teh best habitat for Lions, and thus was finalized. Since the area for translocation was finalized, there had been several attempts by Gujrat State govt as well as individual/ NGOs to stop the translocation, on various grounds. No one went against the idea for translocation, but protested against other grounds, which were never heard neither by MP State govt, not the Judicial benches, and it was a black day for wildlife lovers when Hon. Supreme Court of India announced teh verdict by nodding YES to the project.

---

Why "NO" for Kuno?

Post research, we found Kuno not to be suitable for Lions in any single sense, although, the wildlife research team which was appointed for this task (officially) submitted its report finding Kuno the best place after Gir Forest in India. Below are the major points which were neglected/ manipulated in the report submitted to drive the Judicial verdict on their side. (Click the hyperlinks to know the )


1.  Kuno is a typical Indian rainforest which is not an adequate habitat for Lions. Lions lives in a different kind of habitat.


2. Kuno is almost an extension of a Tiger Reserve "Ranthambhore" and houses couple of Tigers which strayed away from the Tiger reserve. Lions and Tigers can't live together.


3.  Kuno Palpur is a poacher ruled area, where multiple incidents of poaching has been found in past. Many wild animals have been already brought down by poachers. In fact Kuno region is rich in channelizing illegal arms and ammunition.


4. Since Kuno is too far from Gir, the translocation has to be human assisted. There have been several human assisted translocation not only in India, but all over the world, which all failed. So, success of this human assisted translocation is very much doubtful. Even IUCN recommends, that we should focus on natural translocation whose success rate is 100%.


5.  As part of translocation plan, to keep up the healthy genetic pool in Kuno, every 3-5 years, fresh Lions from Gir would be brought to Kuno, and the residing male would be jailed to Zoo. This translocation simply aims at putting all wild Lions to Zoo which is highly unethical and insane act.


6. Prey base at Kuno is not at par for Lions. A manipulated report and argument submitted to Hon. Supreme court of India to show a good number of prey and driving the verdict to their court. As per the report, Langurs are also counted as Lions' prey with a high rate of population. While the main prey "Sambhar" and "Nilgai" rate are too less.


7. Gir people have learnt very well to share the same land in a peaceful manner and no incidents of Lion killing came into light  till date. While on other hand tribals inside Kuno were forcefully kicked out to make space for the reserve. This would definitely lead to man-animal conflict and Lions would be targeted badly. Poisioning and killing of Tigers are of no surprise there in Kuno region.

8. For this project, 24 villages who found there home in Kuno, were kicked out and forced to find their new home out of Kuno where they are suffering to death. Though a heavy amount was sanctioned for the tribal relocation, only few drops has reached for the actual cause.


This is the time to say "NO" to Kuno. This is time to prove the democracy. This is the time to prove that we care for our heritage, we care for wild animals..


~ Black Pearl

GIR Lions~ A journey from paradise to hell

The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Sasan Gir) is believed to be the last residence for last 400 Asiatic Lions over this earth. Gir proved not only just a home to these majestic Lions, but as a paradise to them. Had it been the terrain, vegetation, climate, or medical care, Gir always stood the best for them. It's not only the Gujrat Govt, but even the people of Gujrat has shown much affection towards these Lions. To people of Gujrat, Gir Lions are like members of their family. Gir has always stood the best fighting poaching, hence the Lions there feel themselves safe from cruel hands.


However, the decision for translocation of Gir Lions to Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (MP) has been thrown over everyone and precisely the animals there in. The decision slapped down not only Gurat Govt but also all the Wildlife lovers and conservationists. While Indian Govt. claims this plan to be the most needful and call of the hour which would offer the Gir Lions more space to expand their prides, on the other hand paved the path for the wild Lions to end up in hell i.e. Zoo. While the whole world is protesting against captivating wild animals, we Indians are denoting this act as beneficial? India has history to captive their kings, and that is what happening today.. The saying is well proved that "history repeats itself.."


WII (Wildlife Institute of India) recommendation

WII report clearly mentions that "Genetic consideration would not be a major factor, provided fresh male lions are moved from Gir to Kuno every three to five years and the resident males in Kuno selectively captured for Zoos."

Last life treat

Are we ready to see our majestic wild Lions like this? So basically we are planning for the wild Lions to move from the paradise to hell, and we have no regrets for the same. Surprisingly, the suggestion came from the Wildlife Institute of India. Is the translocation so important that we are ready to sacrifice the wild cats to zoo in their last life? Do our Lions deserve such treatment after fighting for their life in wild? Ask yourself and you'll find what to say..


~ Black Pearl

India will make Lions jump over trees

I am pretty sure, India want to see Lions chasing Langurs over trees. Well, before discussing anything further, I would like to place some facts about the prey list and hunting procedures of the majestic beast "Lions" which will in turn brief you some more facts about Lion and prey behavior. If you google about the prey list of Lions, hopefully you would find many listing them, but what's new here is we would discuss them in depth. Prey list of Lions totally depend as how they hunt, and hunting procedures are again related to the prey density where they survive.

Africa (Tanzania, Botswana, Mara etc.) offers too widely stretched land (rocky mountain, savannah, grassland, desert, dense forest). But Lions do live in some very specific places. To know where Lions live, click here. However Lions always choose to live where there is plenty of prey (which they prefer to have). 

 African & Asiatic Lions' hunt

Lions (males) do prefer to rest a lot and not to waste more energy on chasing preys, since they know that Lionesses of his/ their pride have to bring eatables for their cubs. Accordingly, Lionesses too know that Lions won't participate in hunting so they tend to bring a lot of food which can satisfy them, the cubs and more precisely, the pride owners (Lions) obviously in return of protection by them from other males. In order to bring back so much of food, Lionesses hunt in groups (group may vary from 2-10) to bring down big animals such as Zebra, Buffaloes, Wild beasts, Warthogs, Nilgai etc. However, they can also bring down huge animals such as Giraffes, Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos etc while in scarcity of prey, as there's a famous saying in Hindi "Marta kya naa karta" (When it's up to ones life, one may do anything to survive). This need turned them social, as hunting alone can only bring down small preys such as Antelopes, Wild boars, Rabbits, Sambhar, Chital etc. It's not that they don't hunt these small preys in groups, but the group size is directly proportional to the prey to bring down. Having said this, usually African Lion prides consists 5-20 members (including their cubs) while Asiatic prides usually holds 3-10 in a pride. This directly makes us understand their prey type. Now since we are known of the prey type of Lions in different regions, it's time to know which are the preys which Lions chase the most and why.

Asiatic Lions hence targets primarily on few animals such as Chitals, Sambhars, Wild pigs. However, they also don't hesitate in scavenging preys, brought down by other predators/ big cats, or naturally dead, which may include anything.



Asiatic Lions' choice

Asiatic Lions precisely chase Chitals and Sambhars. Reason behind this is, in India, Chitals (or spotted deers) and Sambhars are abundant so can be found easily. However, as per Chitals and Sambhars behavior, they do prefer to roam in and around big thick trees (which is often not a lovable place for Lions) for reasons. Reason being Monkeys and Langurs. Monleys and Langurs often drop leaves from trees which make easy food for the Cheetals (lazy lads), and also the Langurs make alarm calls as soon as they see any predator near to them. So catching Chitals and Sambhars has never been an eazy job for the Lions in such locations.

The only exception, when Lions can chase down Chitals is when they roam in open savannah or grassland (which happens very often), come in group for quenching their thirst (often at early morning, afternoon or early night), or while grazing at night (when they loose their areal eyes i.e. Langurs). Big cats do have a very good night vision as compared to Chitals/ Sambhars. Other reason for which Lions avoid hunting in dense forests is due to their bulky body, they can't chase zig zag too much (being trees the main hurdles) while Chitals/ Sambhars are pretty expert in that, hence, they prefer to get down the prey while chasing them in open (along with a strong group attack strategy/ planning). Despite of so much trouble Asiatic Lions prefer these both because once they get hold of them, just with a single hard bite of canine can damage their spine or choke their breath to bring them down, while they have to fight a lot for Wild boars, Neelgais etc.  Therefore, Asiatic Lions avoid chasing big bodies. It's found that 20% approx food for Asiatic Lions is contributed by cattle from the nearby/ adjacent villages of Gir forest, which is again an easy prey for the beasts which they can't miss. Given the chance, and if the Lion is injured/ old, they may also raise the percentage from 20% to 50% or even more, so we should always consider easy prey in the prey list of any big cat.  



Lion hunting Langurs?

When I came to know that Wildlife experts of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary included "Langurs" while making a list of prime prey density for Lions, just in order to increase the figures to make their debate stronger. However, a biologist is expected to know all the above facts even more deeply than it's mentioned above. A Langur should always be considered as a spoil sport for any big cat. In fact Lanhurs can also force Lions to starve for days alarming the deers which Lions do chase for. There is no possibility for a Lion to chase a Langur (I mean come on.. this is just as driving my car from earth to moon..). Yes, you might have seen a Lion having feast on Langur, but that is only when they scavenge it from Leopards/ Hyenas (who may likely killed it) or may have hunted an injured Langur (over land, not on trees). There have been incidents, when Lions killed Langurs while they were quenching their thirst (that too if the Langur was not alert at all, which happens once in a blue moon, or couldn't run back that fast). Except mentioned I don't think there must be any possibility when a Lion can have feast on Langur, and that doesn't gives liberty to claim Langur as Lions prime prey. Below listed is the prey base chart which was provided.      

Species                Population Density/Sq.km.± Standard Error
Chital                                               51.59           ±         8.84
Sambhar                                        3.59              ±         1.01
Nilgai                                               2.32              ±         0.59
Wild Pig                                         4.68              ±         1.54
Chinkara                                        0.99              ±         0.35
Langur                                          17.2              ±         4.6
Peafowl                                          6.44              ±         2.34
Feral Cattle                                   1.83              ±         0.77
  

If Indian biologists are including Langurs as Lions "MAIN PREY LIST", hopefully we would be soon seeing Asiatic Lions jumping over the trees of Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, again, which would be an unbelievable sighting which may fail all rules of Nature. So, be prepared to experience the thrill soon.
 

About Lion rehabilitation to Kuno Palpur

Per the Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat

a) That Kuno Palpur has a population of 6 to 8 tigers and coexistence of large cats of almost equal size was unlikely.

b) That Lions world over are known to prefer grasslands in sub-topical to near sub-tropical climates with normal temperature during hot period below 42 degree C. (approx) while Kuno is known to have hot climate during summer with temperature exceeding 45 degree C. for a number of days.

c) The prey base at Kuno is also not adequate enough for the lions.

d) Lions are increasing in number and geographical distribution in vicinity of Gir in Amreli & Bhavnagar districts. This is a natural increase in home range of lions, which is well received by local population. Besides, Gir National Park and Gir-Paniya-Mithiyal Sanctuary and Devalia Interpretation Park, lions have made home in Girnar, grasslands of Savarkundla, Palitana and Mahuva hills and in the coastal region of Jafrabad and Rajula in Amreli districts, Mahuva and Palitana talukas of Bhavnagar district.

e) The Barda Sanctuary area is being effectively prepared as home for lion with vegetation having improved while spotted deer are introduced.

f) The natural expansion of home range being the effective way of establishing natural Meta population that infrequently interact among populations located at different places in Gir region. Thus effectively isolated populations which may still received genetic inputs from the base populations are establishing, providing efficient method of conservation.

g) During the year 2007-2008, Government of Gujarat has launched a special programme for conservation of lion with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat announcing a five year action plan package of Rs.40 crore for lion conservation which includes increase in protection force, habitat management, raising awareness to enlist people’s participation etc.

Reference: WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 337 OF 1995 JUDGEMENT by Hon. SC.
Image courtesy: layoutsparks.com | Edits: ßlåçk Pærl 

TOI : Madhya Pradesh unsuitable for big cats: Study

TNN Jun 25, 2013, 02.49AM IST

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-25/flora-fauna/40184824_1_two-tigers-madhya-pradesh-palpur-kuno

AHMEDABAD: Madhya Pradesh is a major poaching ground with a strong gun culture. This was the finding of Empower Foundation, a Mumbai based NGO working on Sanjay Gandhi National Park's man-animal conflict.

The NGO in its report submitted to the forest department has stated that lions should not be translocated to Kuno as Madhya Pradesh is known to be a major poaching ground and the state has lost 453 tigers out of 710 (63% loss) in a decade. The state as per the 2011 census has only 257 tigers. The loss of tiger in Madhya Pradesh was 50 per cent of the total loss of the tigers across the world.

Jalpesh Mehta has claimed that between 2000 and 2010, about 1079 tigers have died across the globe and of these 453 were in Madhya Pradesh itself.

It was also pointed out that Sariska and Panna have recently lost all their tigers. The two sanctuaries had 28 and 25 tigers respectively and Palpur Kuno had only two tigers. Once upon a time, Kuno used to have 25 tigers.

Sheopur district has 4800 fire arm licenses for a population of six lakh and the sanctuary area was once a hub of dacoits from Chambal. As these are licensed guns, one cannot estimate the illegal fire arms present in the area. Also the state has an adjoining sensitive location - situated on the border of three states namely Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Geographically, Mehta said that the hilly terrain of Kuno-Palpur forest with very little water sources unlike Gir region will also not support translocation.

The government of Madhya Pradesh has declared Sheopur as a drought-prone area and district affected by natural calamity. These conditions are unfavourable for lion translocation.

Further, he added that tigers and bears live in Kuno-Palpur and this would lead to in-fighting and territorial wars among the wild animals, further increasing the chances of man-animal conflict.

TOI : Threat to conservation: Lion bone trade on rise

TNN Jun 25, 2013, 06.44AM IST

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-25/flora-fauna/40184311_1_lion-skeleton-lion-bones-lion-conservation

AHMEDABAD: The international market value of lion bones range between $ 300 and $ 500 for every kilogram. The bones are used in China for traditional Chinese medicines. Lion bones are being used as substitutes for tiger bone potions, finds Empower Foundation, a Mumbai based NGO working on Sanjay Gandhi National Park's man-animal conflict.

In 2007, eight lions were killed in Gir by poachers from MP. Investigations carried out by CID (Crime) officials had concluded with the arrest of several poachers including Sarkas Lal, leader of this poachers' gang

In that case too, CID officials had concluded that the lion bones were passed off as tiger bones and were smuggled to China for "medicinal purposes."

The report submitted to the government stated that South Africa has been supplying a considerable volume of lion bones to mainly Laos, Vietnam and China. A warning against such trade has been issued by LionAid, an organisation which is into lion conservation. LionAid has warned that such trade could well stimulate a demand that would increasingly involve poaching of lions.

The South African trade involves lion breeders, canned lion hunters and taxidermists. The value of a lion skeleton could therefore be in excess of $10,000. "In China, lion bones are soaked for a variable period in rice wine, whereas in Laos and Vietnam, the bones are made into a paste with added ingredients like herbs. The paste is then dissolved in rice wine. Such bone tonics are used to treat a variety of ailments. Bones from wild lions are considered more efficacious than those bred in captivity. In South Africa, Vietnamese and Thai nationals have been arrested at O R Tambo International Airport with illegal lion bones in their luggage, but levels of the illegal trade are considered much higher than such occasional seizures suggest.

The report stated that lion carcasses should now be treated with the same degree of suspicion. As per LionAid, in India, all carcasses of tigers are considered poaching incidents and same treatment has to be given to lion carcasses.

DNA : Shifting Gir lions will bring disaster: Experts

Tuesday, Jun 25, 2013, 10:35 IST | Place: Ahmedabad | Agency: DNA

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1852708/report-shifting-gir-lions-will-bring-disaster-experts

The issue of translocation of Asiatic Lions from Gir sanctuary to Madhya Pradesh has hit another wall — this time that of an NGO. The social organisation has opposed the move on various grounds, including the fact that most of earlier translocation attempts carried out in independent India had failed, often endangering the animals.

The NGO’s analysis of the arguments, on which the translocation of lions was finally allowed, shows that several factors relating to shifting the big cat were either not considered or ignored while allowing the translocation.

The NGO, Empower Foundation’s analysis titled — ‘Failure of the proposed lion translocation to Kuno Palpur, Madhya Pradesh’ —  also found that the government has not strongly positioned the fact that the lion habitat in Gujarat goes much beyond Gir.

Jalpesh Mehta and his team who carried out the analysis said the argument regarding an epidemic killing the entire populace of lion does not hold true as the lions are not concentrated in Gir alone, but have dispersed far and wide.

“If an epidemic can kill all the lions, the same thing can happen to all the tigers in the MP-Rajasthan-Maharashtra belt and Karnataka-Kerala-Tamil Nadu belt as the distance in these areas is more or less similar between Gir and other areas where lions are found,” said Mehta.

The NGO  also talks of the stress suffered by animals during capture and transfer to new locations apart from citing several cases of failed translocations particularly those concerning carnivores.  

The NGO argues that there is no history of any major successful translocation in India. The study mentions 10 cases of failed translocations of elephants, gaurs, leopards, rhinos, African and Asiatic Lions (from Gir to Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary in UP in 1956), which show only 16% success rate in a study of 119 cases of translocated animals. In the rest of the cases, the animals returned causing major conflicts, dying or being killed by locals due to severe man-animal conflicts.