‘Kanpur lions were injured during shifting to safari’

The lion pair of Vishnu and Lakshmi was injured due to over-speeding of the truck in which they were being taken from the Kanpur zoo to Etawah Lion Safari on September 10, claim forest department officials.
The Kanpur zoo administration had made preparations for sending the lions safely to the safari and a trained truck driver was sent to ferry the big cats.But, despite this the lions received bruises on head, neck and hind portion for which they are being treated now, said a forest department official.
“In fact, the lions sustained injuries due to over-speeding. Earlier, other lion pair sent to Safari from Lucknow zoo had a comfortable journey despite the long distance. But the lion pair from Kanpur sustained bruises which indicates towards some carelessness done during transportation,” said forest department sources.
Director of Etawah Lion Safari K K Singh said that he has submitted a status report on the health of the two lions to the senior officials of the department as both had cuts and bruises on their bodies. However, he declined to comment on over-speeding.
“The lion and lioness are consuming 12 and 10 kgs of buffalo meat respectively. But for the cuts and bruises, they are hale and hearty,” said the director. He added that the lion pair from Kanpur is hyper-active and that might have been the cause of their injuries.
He added that the big cats were recovering speedily and all necessary treatment was being given to them.
However, DFO, Chambal, Dr Anil Kumar Patel told TOI that the skin of the lions lacerated during transportation and he had reported the matter to the director of the lion safari. He admitted that the lions had bruises on forehead, neck and hind portion for which they are being treated.
“I had sent the pictures of the lions with bruises on their body to the director of lion safari. I had duly reported the matter to him,” said Dr Patel.
Preferring anonymity, a senior forest official confirmed that the lions were injured while being transported and due to over-speeding. “How is this possible that lions from Lucknow zoo -- where a longer distance was covered -- were transported safely while those from Kanpur zoo got bruises and their skin was lacerated,” questioned the official.
Director, Kanpur zoo, Mukesh Kumar, said that it is anticipated that the lions received injuries due to uncomfortable journey and jerks. “Dr RK Singh of our zoo had treated the lions in the safari,” said the zoo director.