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.
