Mumbai mayor writes to Gujarat CM, requests to send Asiatic lions at Byculla zoo

The Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has formally requested Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel to provide two pairs of Asiatic lions for the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo in Byculla area of MumbaiTawde has written a letter to Patel requesting him to send lions for Byculla zooHe letter comes after years of delay in acquiring lions for the newly constructed enclosureThe Asiatic lion enclosure at the zoo has been designed to replicate the Maldhari community settlements near Kutch and Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat featuring mud houses thatched roofs and spacious caves Facilities include water arrangements shelters for rest and shade elevated platforms dense plantation for privacy and a viewing gallery with acrylic glass for visitorsEnclosure readyDespite the enclosure being ready it has remained empty since its construction causing disappointment among visitors and animal enthusiastsEarlier a proposal was submitted to Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh in Gujarat which houses the largest number of Asiatic lions in the countryThe proposal approved in March 2019 suggested an exchange of two male and two female lions in return for zebras cockatiels night herons and a hornbill However the unavailability of zebras stalled the transfer leaving the lion enclosure vacantLetter to Gujarat CMTawde has requested CM Patel to intervene as a goodwill gesture to ensure that the citizens of Mumbai can enjoy the Asiatic lions at the zoo The mayor highlighted that the zoo has undergone significant modernisation under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC including new enclosures for tigers sloth bears hyenas leopards spotted deer monkeys and aviary birds along with visitor amenities such as gardens ticketing offices toilets and a quarantine areaByculla zoo to expand penguin enclosureMeanwhile last month the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had stated that it has decided to temporarily move the penguins from public view during the offseason months of June July and August to facilitate the expansion of their existing enclosure and living space The upgrade will increase the capacity of the facility to accommodate up to 40 penguinsThe current enclosure can house only up to 25 birds At present the Byculla Zoo has 21 Humboldt penguins 14 of which were born in Mumbai over the past nine years midday had first reported in July last year that the BMC was planning to provide the penguins with a larger habitatDuring the expansion of their existing 1800 sqft enclosure and display area the penguins will be shifted to an adjacent enclosure This facility was earlier used to quarantine the birds when they were first brought to Mumbai in 2016 and closely replicates their current living spaceThe expansion is part of the ongoing construction of an aquarium at the Byculla Zoo for which work has already begun At the time the original penguin enclosure was built space behind it had been reserved for future expansion projectsZoorsquos revenueMumbairsquos Humboldt penguins remain one of the biggest attractions at the Byculla Zoo Over the past three financial years mdash from March 2023 to January 2026 mdash the BMC has earned Rs 281 crore in revenue from the zoo Entry fees are Rs 50 for adults Rs 25 for children and Rs 100 for a family of four parents and two children Zoo revenue typically dips during the monsoon months of July August and September with collections also lower in June compared to the rest of the year The highest revenue is recorded in May coinciding with school vacations and during the festive months of November and December