Japan goes ga-ga over baby lion.

Japan goes ga-ga over baby lion.
Monday, 31 March, 2008
Meet Japan's latest animal star. The five-kilo baby lion-cub, born only a month ago on February 11, is greeted with squeals and coos from the crowds at the Zoorasia Yokohama zoological gardens at every public appearance he makes. "He was so cute. I cannot say anything more," said 33-year-old Yuri Horiuchi, one of hundreds of visitors at one of his twice a week public showings, who jokingly added that the lion cub was cuter than her two daughters. "I am glad that I can take many photographs of the baby lion before he grows much, much bigger in just a short time," added 10-year-old Natsumi Yoshida. While some other animals may pout at all the fuss surrounding him, this little cub may deserve most of it. Rare species The tiny lion cub is of a rare subspecies of lions called the Asiatic lion. Only 350 individuals are known to survive in the wild and are distinct from the African lions seen in most zoos. The last of the Asiatic lions now mostly live in the state of Gujarat, India therefore going by the name of "Indian lion" in Japan. Once king of the animal kingdom from the Mediterranean to the borders of Bangladesh, this big cat has been hunted for sport, killed by farmers trying to protect their livestock and basically chased from their habitats by humans to the point of being now critically endangered. For the zoo keepers in Yokohama, 45 kilometres outside the Japanese capital Tokyo, this new born pussy cat deserves the full star treatment. It is, after all, also the first Asiatic lion cub born country. "His mother is not only unaccustomed to raising a child but also a bit too old as a lion to raise a child. Yet to be named So after discussions, we decided to raise him by ourselves because it would enhance his survival probability," said Shunichiro Tajima, one of the zoo keepers in charge of the lion cub. But while it is just about starting taking baby steps to being the carnivore it is, with its first small morsel of horse meat eaten recently, this kitty is still just a little ball of fur and prefers to lap up specially-treated cat's milk from its trainer. It has, however, no name yet. Zoo officials have set aside three already – Suraj, Dost and Raja (meaning respectively "sun", "friend' and "king" in Hindi) but are asking the public to make the final decision in a vote on March 31st.

81 lions dead in last 2 yrs

81 lions dead in last 2 yrs

28 Feb 2008, 1712 hrs IST,
NEW DELHI: A total of 81 lions have died across the country from January 2006 to 2008, with nine of them becoming victims of poaching, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday. Fifty two lions died a natural death, 1 because of an accident and 6 due to electrocution while 13 fell in a well and 9 lions died because of poaching in Gir protected area and surrounding habitats of Gujarat. Out of th 6 lions electrocuted, five of them died in Permpara village, outside the Gir Protected Areas in October 2007. Investigation shows that a farmer had laid electrified wire fencing his agriculture land to prevent crop damage from wild herbivores, Minister of State for Environment and Forests S Regupathy said. Answering a separate question on declining population of endangered animals including lions, tigers and elephants, Regupathy said fluctuation in the wildlife population is a natural phenomenon. As per the information available there are no reports to indicate a continuous sharp decline in the population of endangered species, he said. The minister said, "census of gharials are conducted on a regular basis and is not done for the first time."

Five injured in lion attacks in Gir

Five injured in lion attacks in Gir

Times of India Ahmedabad Edition
Rajkot: In two different incidents of lion attacks on human beings on the outskirts of Gir forest, as many as five persons have been reportedly injured on Wednesday.
Sources in the forest department said around 8 am, two agriculture labourers were attacked by a wild cat near Devala village situated under Sarasia range of Gir (east division). In the incident, Dhanji Manaji Parghi and Valaji Ravaji Parghi got injured. The same animal also injured two persons Kadava Vekaria and Vipul Vekaria in the adjoining farm. Sources said all four persons were taken to Dhari hospital where they were discharged after receiving primary treatment. According to a witness, there was a herd of around five lions. However, forest officials said that lions generally don’t attack human beings without reason and some one must have tried to disturb them.
In another similar incident, that occurred near a farm in Fatsar village of Una taluka in Junagadh distict, an unidentified person was reportedly injured by a lion in the afternoon.