Asiatic lions test positive for SARS-CoV2 virus in Hyderabad zoo

Asiatic lions test positive for SARS-CoV2 virus in Hyderabad zoo

Part of: GS Prelims and GS – III – Biodiversity; Sci & tech; Conservation 

In news

• Based on reports by CCMB-LaCONES, it has now been confirmed that eight Asiatic lions housed in Nehru Zoological Park (NZP), Hyderabad have tested positive for SARS-CoV2 virus.

Important value additions

• LaCONES or Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, is a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research lab located in Hyderabad.
• It is a part of CCMB (centre for cellular and molecular biology).
• It was conceptualised by Lalji Singh.
• It is India’s only research facility engaged in conservation and preservation of wildlife and its resources. 
• This lab strives to promote excellence in conservation biotechnology and serve for conservation of endangered wildlife in India.
• It was established in 1998 with the help of Central Zoo Authority of India, CSIR and the government of Andhra Pradesh.
• It was dedicated to the nation in 2007 by then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam.

Asiatic Lion

• It is a Panthera leo population in India.
• Its current range is restricted to the Gir National Park and environs in the Indian state of Gujarat.
• It is one of five pantherine cats inhabiting India. Others are:
  • Bengal tiger
  • Indian leopard 
  • Snow leopard 
  • Clouded leopard
• It is also known as the “Indian lion” and the “Persian lion”. 

• Status: 

• • Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
  • Appendix I of CITES
  • Endangered on IUCN Red List.
• It is slightly smaller than African lions.
• The most striking morphological character is a longitudinal fold of skin running along the belly of Asiatic Lions.