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

Mumbai 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, 2026) directing officials to expedite the administrative process for the animal exchange. The development followed a meeting between Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and Patel at the latter’s 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 initiate the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two zoos.

The BMC is expected to receive a formal approval letter and a draft MoU 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.