In 2006, five lions, a tigress and tiger were sent to Indira Gandhi Zoological Rescue Centre of Vishakhapatnam from Ormanjhi’s Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park due to spread of a disease called ‘Babesiosis’. Though these inmates are now ‘fit and fine’ but the Birsa zoo is still awaiting their return since January after shooting a request in this regard.

“We are confident that Vishakhapatnam centre people will send our tiger and tigress. But, there are least chances of getting the lions back as this centre needs sufficient number of lions. On January 4, a letter was written to this respective centre. Till date, they have not responded so we have decided to remind them again by next week,” Birsa Zoo Director AK Patra said on Thursday.

Babesiosis is a malaria-like parasitic disease caused by infection with Babesia, a genus of protozoal piroplasms. Babesia is thought to be the second most common blood parasite of mammals that was on prowl in 2006 taking lives as many as six animals in a month time in the zoo. The epidemic had eaten up four tigers, a tigress and a leopard that has forced the central zoo authorities to direct the Birsa Zoo to reduce the population of lions and tigers in the enclosures.

However, Zoo Veterinary Hospital Doctor Ajay Kumar maintained that there was no such record mentioned in their hospital.

Apart from the ‘bringing back home’ of these wild animals, the zoo is aiming to bring a pair of Ostrich from a Kolkata based firm. Patra said, “We have been informed that the ostriches are presently undergoing incubation period. After the birth of ostrich cub, it will take sometime to bring the family here. If everything goes accordingly, these birds will shift to our zoo by the month of June.”

Under this animal exchange programme the zoo authorities are also planning to bring ‘a pair of African lion’ from Sakkar Baug Zoo based in Gujarat. “The financial year is ending and we are quite busy in new appointments, making tenders and other pending works related to the biological park. Once, we complete these official papers, the communication for African lion couple will take pace,” Patra added.

Significantly, there are only two lioness and no ostrich breed in this ‘natural home of wild animals’. Dr Ajay said, “It seems difficult to bring the ‘African lion Couple but we are trying are level best to line up with the respective zoo fraternity.”