Visitors of the London Zoo can now get a first-hand look at the endangered Asiatic lions in their natural habitat with a new programme called the 'Land of the Lions'. Conservation teams of the facility has replicated a village from Gujarat's famous Gir Forest National Park, creating a live-action adventure where budding ecologists can react to a simulated “lion emergency” in the forest, help park rangers and vets rescue the big cats.
Head of the zoo's conservation programmes for South and Central Asia, Gitanjali Bhattacharya said, “It's about being in the heart of London but being immersed in the Indian forest. I have been to Gir and it's absolutely stunning, but to stand in the centre of the Land of Lions you feel like you've been transported to India. Every time you turn a corner you see something from Gir.” Over a thousand props were shipped to London from the park, including rickshaws, bicycles, posters and a mocked up tourist information centre. Four Asiatic lions, females Heidi, Rubi and Indi, along with male Bhanu, will make their homes at the exhibit.
The programme aims to show how close big cats and humans live to each other in the national park- though in this case visitors will have the reassurance of being separated from them by safety wire. “In Gir you have this species living in harmony with humans. I don't think you or I would be comfortable with lions living in your back yard, but they actually do live in such close proximity. People have adapted to live near these huge carnivores. They can read lion behaviour and know when to avoid them,” said Gitanjali. Asiatic lions are listed as endangered with a petty population of 523 last year in the Gir park. However, numbers are increasing as lion hunts have been outlawed. The species are slightly smaller than their African cousin and the males sport a shorter mane.
The programme for the London Zoo was worked on with the help of the Wildlife Institute of India and Indian Forestry Department. The £5.2 million project was unveiled on March 18 by The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
The Gir National Park in Gujarat, is the only place besides Africa, where lions can be seen roaming around in their natural habitat. The entire forest area once used to be the hunting grounds of the royals of Junagadh. However, with the alarming decrease in the population of the giant cats, Nawab Sir Muhammad Rasul Khanji Babi declared Sasan Gir as a protected area in 1900. His son, Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III followed his legacy and engaged in conserving the animals.
