Four Asiatic lions from Gujarat to arrive at Mumbai's Byculla Zoo

Preparations are underway to bring four Asiatic lions from Junagadh's Sakkarbaug Zoological Park in Gujarat to the Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo, also known as Rani Baug, located in Byculla, Mumbai. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, on Wednesday, 4 November, 2026, directed officials to expedite the administrative process for this animal exchange.

According to a statement issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde met Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at his residence in Gandhinagar on Wednesday evening. Following this meeting, Shri Patel instructed the Gujarat administration to complete all necessary formalities and initiate the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two zoos. The BMC is now expected to receive the official approval letter and the draft agreement from the Gujarat government shortly.

Under the proposed exchange, Sakkarbaug Zoological Park will provide two pairs of Asiatic lions, comprising two males and two females, to the Byculla Zoo. In return, the Mumbai zoo will transfer three pairs of tufted capuchin monkeys to Sakkarbaug. The BMC stated that both zoos have already agreed to this exchange.

The municipality further stated that, as per the master layout plan approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the work on modern enclosures for the Asiatic lions at Byculla Zoo has been completed. To expedite this process, Mayor Ritu Tawde met with Gujarat's Minister of State for Forests, Pravinkumar Mali, on the same day and requested the transfer of the lions. Shri Mali accepted the representation and directed the Principal Secretary of the Forest Department to initiate the necessary action.

Also present at this significant meeting with the Chief Minister were Dhrangadhra MLA Prakashbhai Vamra, senior officials of the Gujarat government, and BMC Zoo Director Dr. Sanjay Tripathi. Although the Gujarat government has directed officials to proceed with the agreement, all formalities are yet to be completed, and no specific date has been announced regarding when the lions will arrive in Mumbai.

Sakkarbaug Zoological Park was a well-known zoo located in Junagadh, Gujarat. It was renowned for its conservation and display of Asiatic lions.