Hyderabad: The Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad celebrated World Lion Day on Sunday with programmes highlighting the importance of protecting the world’s majestic big cats, including both Asiatic and African lions.
The celebrations focused on wildlife education and conservation, with animal keepers conducting special talks for visitors. The caretakers explained the daily routines involved in caring for the lions, including their behaviour, feeding patterns, vaccination schedules and breeding programmes.
Keepers share insights into lion care
Deputy Curator J Muralidhar said the Nehru Zoological Park regularly conducts wildlife education and outreach programmes to mark important eco-days.
The zoo houses both Asiatic and African lions in separate enclosures, providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about the characteristics and conservation needs of the two populations.
The World Lion Day programme also offered visitors a closer understanding of the work involved in maintaining the health and wellbeing of animals in captivity.
45-acre safari remains a major attraction
The zoo’s lion safari has a long history, with the first Lion Safari Park established in 1974. The safari currently covers around 45 acres.
Every morning, a pride of lions is released into the safari area, allowing visitors to observe the animals in a more natural setting from the safety of designated vehicles.
The concept is popularly described as a “zoo in reverse”, where the animals move freely while visitors remain enclosed.
World Lion Day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges facing lions in the wild and the importance of conservation efforts to protect these iconic animals for future generations.