Sanjay Gandhi National Park's (SGNP) consistent efforts to maintain a healthy lion population are slowly yielding the desired results. Months after failing to strike a deal to get two lions from Gujarat's Sakkarbaug Zoo in exchange for two rusty spotted cats, the forest department received a positive response from Karnataka forest minister R Shankar regarding a similar exchange programme. On a visit to SGNP on Sunday, Shankar said that such a deal could be worked out.

According to sources, after being welcome by Chief Forest Conservative Officer Anwar Ahmed and Principal Chief Conservative Officer M K Rao, Shankar visited the tiger and lion enclosures, went on the lion safari and discussed the work of the rescue teams with the Park officials.