As the world marks World Lion Day on 10 August, Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, stands as a shining example of successful Asiatic lion conservation in India.
The park currently houses 17 pure Asiatic lions—11 males and 6 females—along with 6 hybrid lions, showcasing decades of dedicated breeding, care, and animal exchange programmes.
The journey began on 21 December 1972, when the first Asiatic lions arrived at Nandankanan from Mysore Zoo under an animal exchange initiative. Since then, the park has not only received lions but also contributed to other zoos: one male was sent to Pilikula Biological Park in Mangalore, while a male and a female went to Alipore Zoo in Kolkata.
Of the current 17 Asiatic lions, 13 were born at Nandankanan (8 males and 5 females), while 4 came from other zoos. In the past two years alone, five cubs have been born—four males and one female—injecting fresh hope into the conservation story.
A special highlight is the park’s pioneering hand-rearing programme. Ten lion cubs have been successfully raised by human caregivers so far. The first was Kalpana, a female born on 23 July 2015. Her mother Radha had been brought from Bengaluru. When maternal care was not possible, veterinarians and keepers stepped in with round-the-clock feeding, medical attention, and affection. Kalpana became a symbol of Nandankanan’s expertise in high-risk neonatal care.
Subsequent hand-reared cubs include Barsa (21 July 2021), Kamini (17 March 2022), Kesari and Simba (24 March 2024), Shreya, Dhruv and Harsh (29 August 2024), and Rocky and Lucky (25 January 2025). Since 2021, 14 cubs have been raised under intensive care, turning potential losses into conservation victories.
World Lion Day aims to raise awareness about the declining wild lion populations, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching—especially for the rare Asiatic lion. Nandankanan’s story reminds us that protecting these majestic animals is a shared responsibility, not just the duty of forests and zoos.
Looking ahead, the park is set to welcome exciting new international residents. Plans are underway to introduce Australian red kangaroos (two pairs) in a specially themed Australian Adventure enclosure, along with African cheetahs and zebras. These additions will further elevate Nandankanan’s status as a modern, world-class zoological park.
On this World Lion Day, the roar of Nandankanan’s lions echoes a powerful message: with care, science, and commitment, even the king of the jungle can thrive under human guardianship while inspiring future generations to protect wildlife.
