{
  "id": 18205436,
  "title": "Mumbai: Byculla Zoo Moves Closer To Getting 4 Asiatic Lions From Gujarat After 12-Year Gap; CM Bhupendra Patel Directs Officials To Expedite Transfer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/mumbai-byculla-zoo-moves-closer-to-getting-4-asiatic-lions-from",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T23:05:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-byculla-zoo-moves-closer-to-getting-4-asiatic-lions-from-gujarat-after-12-year-gap-cm-bhupendra-patel-directs-officials-to-expedite-transfer"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo is poised to receive four Asiatic lions from Gujarat after a 12-year hiatus, following a directive from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde met Patel in Gandhinagar on Wednesday to secure final approval for the long-awaited transfer. The proposal, which includes two male and two female Asiatic lions from Gujarat's Sakkarbaug Zoological Park, has been welcomed by both zoos, subject to administrative clearances. In return, the Mumbai zoo will offer three pairs of tufted capuchin monkeys. Both institutions have already endorsed the exchange, as outlined in the master plan approved by the Central Zoo Authority. A state-of-the-art lion enclosure has been constructed at Byculla Zoo, and the zoo anticipates receiving the lions shortly after obtaining the formal approvals.",
  "summary": "Mumbai, November 4, 2026: Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo at Byculla is a step closer to welcoming Asiatic lions after a 12-year gap, with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directing state officials to expedite the transfer of two pairs of lions from Junagadh’s Sakkarbaug Zoological Park. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde met Patel in Gandhinagar on Wednesday, seeking final approval…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo closer to getting four Asiatic lions from Gujarat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/mumbais-byculla-zoo-closer-to-getting-four-asiatic-lions-from-gujarat",
        "published": "2026-11-05T02:33:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}