The four-year-old Asiatic lion, Vishnu, an inmate of lion breeding centre at Etawah — a part of ambitious project of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, died following months long sickness on Sunday.
The officials of breeding centre stated the cause of Vishnu’s death to be cardio respiratory failure caused by multi organ dysfunction, just like his mate, three-year-old Asiatic lioness laxmi, who died last month on October 30.
Officials asserted that the carcasses of the lion had been sent to IVRI, Bareilly and will also be checked at a Veterinary Institute, Pantnagar after which cause of death could be known with more clarity.
As per the lion Safari Officials, Vishnu was ailing for sometimes and had developed paralysis-like symptoms since last one and a half month. Experts at the lion Safari stated in primary phase, the lion showed some symptoms of Bacterial or Viral infection including lupus Paralysis, however, it was ruled out.
Officials stated that since last few weeks Vishnu, who was bought here from Hyderbad Zoo along with its mate laxmi, stopped responding to the medicines and its condition became critical since November 14. Both Vishnu and laxmi were bred in captivity of Hyderabad Zoo and were bought here around one year back.
The lion breeding centre is now left with three pairs of Asiatic lions, Manan, Kuber and Jigo and lioness Kuwari, Grishma and Heer, who have been bought here from Gujarat.
Director of lion Safari, Dr KK Singh while speaking to The Pioneer expressed his grief and stated that loosing the rare animal is a setback.
“It’s very sad that we have to loose such precious animals which is a setback to a good starting. The main aim of the whole project is divided into three categories which are Conservation, Breeding and Safari. Our focus is over the first two, the safari comes later,” said KK Singh.
KK Singh quoted lack of information on Asiatic lions as another reason that despite all good infrastructure and expert advice from all over the world, Safari project had to loose two precious animals within a month.