Search on as lion goes lacking inside safari zone at Vandalur Zoo

A five-year-old lion named Sheryaar gave zookeepers on the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP) in Vandalur an sudden problem this week, when he didn’t return from the safari space a couple of days in the past to the evening shelter, sparking rumours within the neighbourhood of a “lacking” lion.

Sheryaar, one in every of about half-a-dozen lions within the zoo’s 50-acre lion safari zone, had been reportedly roaming inside the zone, which is a completely fenced space designed to imitate pure habitat situations.

Dismissing studies of the lion going “lacking”, zoo officers stated that it’s common for lions to wander inside the safari space for a short while.

However, Sheryaar’s prolonged absence has prompted a extra centered effort to observe and find the animal. The incident led to momentary closure of the lion safari as a precautionary measure.

‘Lion will not be lacking’

Ritto Cyriac, Director, AAZP, acknowledged that the lion didn’t go lacking. “The space is totally compounded and fenced and there’s no means the animal may get out. The lion may very well be shifting round inside.”

He famous that related incidents have occurred up to now, the newest being 5 years in the past, and in such instances, the lion sometimes returns by itself, as soon as it will get hungry.

Sheryaar was dropped at Vandalur from Bannerghatta National Park in Karnataka as a part of an animal trade programme two years in the past.

On October 4, a zoo employees member together with two different staff noticed Sheryaar deep inside the safari zone. “He appeared regular, wholesome, and calm,” Mr. Cyriac stated. “But earlier than we may strategy, he ran again into the bushes.”

Fresh pugmarks noticed once more on October 5 confirmed Sheryaar’s continued presence inside the safari enclosure. A press launch stated that to make sure the security and well-being of the lion inside the lion safari zone, 5 devoted groups have been fashioned. The complete perimeter of the safari zone is secured by each a boundary wall and chain-link mesh fencing, guaranteeing that the animal stays inside the safari space, the discharge stated.

High surveillance

The safari space is being monitored for the security of the lion by the assistance of regular drones throughout day time and thermal imaging drones throughout evening time. In addition to that, 10 digicam traps have been put in for guaranteeing the actions of the lion to make sure his well-being.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Srinivas R. Reddy and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra inspected the safari.