Getting lions from India: more than bringing Panda from China

14. 01. 2015

Jamvan, Gini and Jennifer are names of three Indian Lions, who should arrive from Sakkarbaug Zoo, Gujarat, to Prague this summer. Their acquisition was preceded by more than two-year long negotiation, and if everything goes well, it will be the first import of these lions for European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) after more than twenty years.

Three-member pride of lions should be transported to Czech Republic this July. Photo: Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

Indian Lions, also called Persian Lions, live in the wild only in Gujarat, India, in the Gir National Park and its surroundings. The parents, or rather grandparents of the lions, heading for Prague, originate from there. However, all three of them were born in captivity in Sakkarbaug Zoo in nearby Junagadh in spring 2012.

"For Gujarath lions mean perhaps even more than Giant Pandas for China," Miroslav Bobek, Director of Prague Zoo, says. "Providing them out of India is utterly exceptional and the decision about it was adopted also on the central level. Undoubtedly it is no coincidence, that the Memorandum of Understanding and Strategic Partnership between Prague Zoo and the Government of Gujarat has been signed during a summit, being hold at the turn of the last and this week and attended by the leading heads of states. But this achievement would not be conceivable without the support and cooperation of our ambassador to India, Mr Miloslav Stašek."

The signed agreements between Prague Zoo and successively Indian Central Zoo Authority, Gujarat Government and Sakkarbaug Zoo allow acquisition of the lions, as well as further cooperation on many levels. Upon request of the Indian party, the memorandum with Gujarat Government was signed during the global economic Vibrant Gujarat Summit, attended beside the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by United States Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary-General of the United nations Ban Ki-moon, President of the World Bank Jim Young Kim and many prime ministers, ministers and industrialists from all around the world.

According to the Czech Ambassador to India Mr Miloslav Stašek the signature of the memorandums and acquisition of the lions presents a huge success of Prague Zoo.

"Many leading world zoos tried hard to achieve the same, and I am personally very happy, that it is precisely Prague Zoo, who succeeded," Stašek said. "Thanks to many significant activities in nature protection and research of endangered species Prague Zoo has excellent reputation here in India and Indian party is interested in starting a cooperation on expert level. It was prestige and professionalism of biologists and management of Prague Zoo, what played a decisive role in decision-making of Indian Government about donating three specimen of these carnivores to Prague."

The transportation of the lions to Czech Republic is planned for July, when there are the best climatic conditions for it in Gujarat.

"The acquisition of three lions from Gujarat is a key moment for the whole European Endangered Species Programme of this species," Jaroslav Šimek, Deputy Director of Prague Zoo for Zoology, stated. "The European breeding emerged from just nine founders, and it urgently needs reviving by new blood."

Visitors of Prague Zoo will be able to see Jamvar, Gini and Jennifer several weeks after their arrival, after the mandatory post-import quarantine.

Strategic Partnership between Prague Zoo and Gujarat Government

Strategic partnership between Prague Zoo and Gujarat Government was signed on 12th of January 2015 in Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar during the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2015. On the basis of this partnership both parties agreed on mutual cooperation in the field of exchange of animals and their protection including sharing necessary information and knowledge. Gujarat Government will also help Prague Zoo to obtain necessary permits, registrations and approvals of individual government authorities according the existing policies, laws and regulations.

Vibrant Gujarat Summit is an international summit of investors, taking place each two years under the auspices of Government of Indian state of Gujarat. Its aim is to bring together individual businessmen, investors, corporations and other institutions and to serve as a platform for understanding and presentation wide range of opportunities in Gujarat. At the same time it serves as a place for establishing new contacts and strategic partnerships, development of business interests and exchange of information and experiences in the field of commerce and business. It also offers an opportunity to other states to present here their strengths, attractive business opportunities and share their knowledge and experience.

This year the global economic summit Vibrant Gujarat was attended beside Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister by John Kerry, United States Secretary of State, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United nations, Jim Young Kim, President of the World Bank, and many prime ministers, ministers and industrialists from all around the world.

With the participation of Mrs Anandiben Patel, Prime Minister of state of Gujarat, Miroslav Bobek, Director of Prague Zoo, signed with Dr. C. N. Pandey, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, and Chief Wildlife Warden of Indian Forest Service, an important Memorandum of Understanding and Strategic Partnership between Prague Zoo and Government of Gujarat.

Memorandum of Cooperation between Prague Zoo and Sakkarbaug Zoo

Memorandum of cooperation between Prague Zoo and Sakkarbaug Zoo was signed on 12th of January 2015 in Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2015. Based on this agreement, Sakkarbaug Zoo will provide Prague Zoo with three pedigree Indian Lions (one male and two females). In exchange Prague Zoo will provide Sakkarbaug Zoo with five specimen of Red-necked Wallaby, three specimen of Caracal, two specimen of Blue and Yellow Macaw, two specimen of Scarlet Macaw and three specimen of Green Peafowl. Prague Zoo and Sakkarbaug Zoo confirm by this agreement their interest in a long term cooperation consisting in mutual exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of breeding and veterinary care of animals in captivity.

"Providing three pedigree lions out of India is absolutely exceptional. Many leading world zoos tried hard to achieve the same, and I am personally very happy, that it is precisely Prague Zoo, who succeeded," Mr Miloslav Stašek, the Ambassador of Czech republic to India, said. "Thanks to many significant activities in nature protection and research of endangered species Prague Zoo has excellent reputation here in India and Indian party is interested in starting a cooperation on expert level. It was prestige and professionalism of biologists and management of Prague Zoo, what played a decisive role in decision-making of Indian Government about donating three specimen of these carnivores to Prague."

The Memorandum on Cooperation between Prague Zoo and Sakkarbaug Zoo was signed by Miroslav Bobek, Director of Prague Zoo, and Dr. V. J. Rana, Director of Sakkarbaug Zoo. Also Dr. C. N. Pandey (on the photo on the very right), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, and Chief Wildlife Warden of Indian Forest service, participated at the ceremony.