Lion ‘Bharat’ arrives at Gorewada, suspense continues over illness

Nagpur: Suspense continues over what exactly ails Bharat, a 4-year-old Asiatic lion shifted from Mumbai to Gorewada Wildlife Research and Treatment Centre (WRTC) for advanced veterinary care, with crucial lab results still awaited before treatment can begin. The lion is struggling to even stand, and his treatment in Mumbai did not yield the desired results.A source privy to the development said tests conducted in Mumbai returned inconclusive and yielded conflicting results. The lion was then shifted to Gorewada, which hosts a state-of-the-art treatment centre. "Some tests have already been done here, but the results of a few crucial ones are still awaited. Once those come in, the real issue will be clear and treatment will begin," the source, who did not wish to be identified, said.The lion's condition is a cause of concern. The source said Bharat was struggling to even stand up, with persistent hind limb paresis likely being the primary clinical problem that persisted despite prolonged treatment in Mumbai.The lion was originally brought to Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai from Gujarat under an approved animal exchange programme. Despite isolation management and intensive supportive care over several months, the lion did not show satisfactory clinical improvement, following which forest officials decided to shift it to Gorewada.To minimise stress during the journey, the lion was transported during night hours in an air-conditioned veterinary ambulance specially equipped for animal transport. This is the first time a lion has been brought to Gorewada's WRTC, which is regarded as one of the most advanced wildlife research and treatment facilities in the country.