India, Nov. 5 -- The proposal to bring four Asiatic lions from Gujarat to Mumbai's Byculla zoo has advanced after Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel directed the state administration to complete the required formalities and prepare a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the exchange between the two zoos.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde met Patel at his official residence in Gandhinagar on Wednesday to seek approval for the transfer. A media statement said the meeting was positive and that Patel had asked officials to expedite the administrative process.

Under the proposed exchange, Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden in Junagadh will provide four Asiatic lions, which are two males and two females, to the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udy...