India, May 19 -- The city's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo in Byculla has moved a step closer to bringing Asiatic lions back to the city after Gujarat's Sakkarbaug Zoological Park gave its in-principle approval to transfer four lions under a proposed animal exchange programme.

In a letter dated May 6 addressed to Byculla zoo director Sanjay Tripathi, the Junagadh-based Sakkarbaug zoo said it was agreeable to providing two male and two female Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica), subject to approvals from the competent authorities and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

The development follows efforts by Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde, who had written to Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel on February 25 requesting two pairs o...