Expert from Karnataka to treat ailing Asiatic lion-Vishnu at Lion Safari

KANPUR: An expert from Karnataka has now been deputed for the treatment of the ailing Asiatic lion-Vishnu in the Etawah Lion Safari.
The lions, named Vishnu and Lakshmi, were brought from Kanpur zoo for the Lion safari project but the two felines fell ill. The lioness Lakhsmi died on Oct 30 while Vishnu got partially paralysed, is unable to walk and have now almost stopped eating.
The experts from the Veterinary College Mathura, the Junagarh zoo and from Gujarat and Bear rescue Centre in Agra were being consulted on the line of treatment being given to the ailing big cats.
The state forest department had also sought an opinion of experts from the Zoo Society London and Born Free Foundation in the United Kingdom.
"Dr Nag Raja from Banner Ghatta Zoo in Karnataka has arrived here today. He had given tips to the veterinarians including Vikas Singh, RK Singh and Kuldeep Dwivedi attending Vishnu. A round the clock vigil is being maintained by him in coordination with other veterinary doctors in the Lion safari in Etawah on the condition of Vishnu," informed Anil Patel DFO Chambal.
Dr Nag Raja had been invited by principal chief conservator (wildlife) Rupak De following talks with principal chief conservator of Karnataka. He had an expertise in treating Asiatic lions. "At present he has been taking care of several pairs of Asiatic lions in Banner Ghatta zoo of Karnataka," informed a senior forest department official while talking to TOI.
Earlier, Vishnu and Lakshmi were brought from Hyderabad zoo and kept in the Allen forest zoo in Kanpur from where they were shifted to the Lion safari in on September 10.
Though officials of lion Safari and Forest department claimed that they did their best to give felines proper medical treatment and care, they mentioned that Safari was badly in need of at least two permanent veterinary doctors to look after its habitants, to prevent them from acquiring ailments.