Chennai: The lion safari at Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur will remain suspended for 20 days from Oct 14. Repairs will be carried out on the chain-link fencing and perimeter wall, and overgrown vegetation will be cleared as the zoo prepares to introduce two newly arrived Asiatic lions to the group.Zoo director T Ritto Cyriac said a pair of Asiatic lions, Zimba and Nala, recently arrived from Indore Zoo in Madhya Pradesh. After quarantine and health checks, the lions have gradually acclimatised to their new surroundings and now roam the open area behind their enclosure.The pair will join the existing lions once the safari is ready, bringing the total number to six. Four lions remain at the zoo now, and compatibility issues prevent them from being released together.The arrival of the new pair is expected to help revive the safari, which has often disappointed visitors when the lions remain apart or rest in the shade, away from view.The zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams will monitor the animals as they settle in and assess the prospects for breeding. The new pair will also introduce fresh genetic diversity into the group, which could support future breeding efforts. The Asiatic lion is an important species in India’s wildlife conservation efforts.
