Oldest hybrid lion dies in Tata zoo

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Link:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060925/asp/ranchi/story_6789664.asp

 

Oldest hybrid lion dies in Tata zoo

OUR CORRESPONDENT

 

Jamshedpur, Sept. 24: It will be an empty cell at the Tata Steel

Zoological Park (TSZP) from tomorrow. Sher Khan — an Afro-Indian

breed — said to be the oldest hybrid lion in the country and a

favourite among the children of the steel city, died in its cell

early this morning.

 

Over 22 years of age, the lion had not been keeping well for some

years and had become too weak to move.

 

According to MS Jain, director of TSZP, the hybrid lion was probably

the oldest in the country. " The normal life expectancy of a lion is

taken as 17 years. The one with us was over 22 years old, " he said.

 

" A post-mortem finding reveals Sher Khan could have died due to

liver malfunction and retention of urine, leading to uremia, " the

senior zoo functionary added.

 

Sher Khan died around 5.30 am and was buried inside the zoo compound.

 

According to Jain, the lion had started showing signs of age two

years ago when it lost its canines and was occasionally going

without food. The animal had overgrown nails, lost appetite and

movement.

 

" It was under intensive care from September 1. Food intake had

reduced drastically, which caused weakness, dehydration and

progressive bed sores, " he said.

 

Sher Khan was brought here from the Nandan Kanan Zoological Park,

Bhubaneswar in February 1994.

 

" The CZA does not circulate age data of hybrid lions as they do not

find place on its conservation list. Since hybrid lions don't adapt

in Indian conditions, the CZA does not include them in its

conservation list. Indian environment is conducive for pure Asiatic

lions, " he said.

[Guest guest]

Sher Khan was brought here from the Nandan Kanan Zoological Park,

Bhubaneswar in February 1994.

 

" The CZA does not circulate age data of hybrid lions as they do not

find place on its conservation list. Since hybrid lions don't adapt

in Indian conditions, the CZA does not include them in its

conservation list. Indian environment is conducive for pure Asiatic

lions, " he said.

 

THIS IS NOT ONLY WRONG BUT PERNICIOUS. I FILMED SHER KHAN IN 2001, HE WAS HALE

AND HEARTY, IN MY RECORDING HE IS ROARING HIS LUNGS OUT. CZA DOES NOT INCLUDE

HYBRIDS IN ITS CONSERVATION LIST BECAUSE THE CZA WANTS TO TOE THE OFFICAL

CONSERVATION LINE. IF THE HYBRID ANIMAL WAS NOT SUITED TO INDIAN CONDITIONS,

HOW ON EARTH DID HE SURVIVE FOR 22 YEARS? I REPEAT PURITY OF SUBSPECIES AND

SPECIES IS A QUESTIONABLE THEORY. I RECALL ATTENDING A GENETICS CLASS TAKEN BY

MICHAEL BUFORD OF THE INSTITUTE OF ZOOLOGY WHERE HE MENTIONED THAT HYBRIDISATION

MIGHT BE A TOOL TO SAVE THE ASIATIC LION SINCE IT IS GENETICALLY CRIPPLED. FOR

THE RECORD, A HARVARD UNIVERSITY STUDY SHOWS THAT MORE THAN 90% OF THE HUMAN

SPECIES IS HYBRID, IE., A MIX OF CAUCASOID, MONGOLOID AND NEGROID RACES. IF YOU

APPLY CZA'S LOGIC TO HUMANS, THEN 90% OF US DO NOT HAVE ANY 'CONSERVATION

VALUE'. THE MOST NOTABLE CRITIC OF THIS CZA THEORY IS BIG CAT EXPERT BILLY

ARJAN SINGH.

HE IS IN A MINORITY BUT I AM GLAD HE SPEAKS HIS MIND.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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