Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo is closer to getting four Asiatic lions from Gujarat

As part of the proposed exchange, the Sakkarbaug Zoological Park will provide two pairs of Asiatic lions, consisting of two males and two females, to the Byculla Zoo. File photo for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: Vijay Soneji

Mumbai’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo in Byculla, popularly known as Rani Baug, is set to receive four Asiatic lions from Gujarat’s Sakkarbaug Zoological Park in Junagadh, with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday (November 4) ordering an official to process the animals to exchange them by 2026.

The development followed a meeting between Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and Patel at his residence in Gandhinagar on Wednesday evening (November 4, 2026). According to a statement issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mr. Patel directed the Gujarat administration to complete the necessary formalities and start the process of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two zoos.

The BMC is expected to receive a formal letter of approval and a draft MoU from the Gujarat government soon.

As part of the proposed exchange, the Sakkarbaug Zoological Park will provide two pairs of Asiatic lions, consisting of two males and two females, to the Byculla Zoo. In return, Mumbai Zoo will transport three pairs of capuchin monkeys to Sakkarbaug. Both zoos have already agreed to the exchange, the BMC said.

The civic association further said that a modern enclosure for Asiatic lions has been completed at the Byculla Zoo in accordance with the master plan approved by the Central Zoo Administration (CZA).

Earlier in the day, Ms Tawde met Gujarat’s state forest minister Pravinkumar Mali and asked him to speed up the transfer of the lions. Mali accepted her representation and directed the Principal Secretary of the Forestry Department to initiate the necessary steps.

Dhrangadhra MLA Prakashbhai Varmora, senior Gujarat government officials and BMC Zoo Director Dr Sanjay Tripathi also attended the meeting with Mr Patel.

While the Gujarat government has directed officials to proceed with the deal, formalities are yet to be completed and no date has been announced for the Lions’ arrival in Mumbai.

Published – 05 Nov 2026 08:02 IST