Daman:
Forest officials of Union Territory Dadra Nagar Haveli have asked for companions for 11-year-old lioness Sonal, whose diet has reduced considerably over the last one year.
Sonal was brought at Vasona Safari here along with a lion, Kush, and another lioness Silki when the safari, a tourist attraction, was established in 2002, they said.
"Silki and Kush died of illness. Later to accompany Sonal, a lion, Dharam, was brought to the safari, but he too succumbed to illness one year back. Since then Sonal is wandering alone in the safari," Additional Wildlife Conservator Virendra Chaudary told PTI today.
"Earlier she used to eat 7 to 8 kgs of meat, but now her diet has reduced to 3 kgs due to loneliness. So we have requested to Zoo Authority in New Delhi to sanction one male and one female lion for the safari from Junagadh," he said.