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African lioness gives birth to two cubs at Bilaspur
by Ajay Sharma

          Bilaspur (Chattisgarh): An African lioness, which was rescued from a circus along with a male lion, has given birth to two healthy cubs at the Bilaspur Zoo. Jamuna, the African lioness, was kept in an enclosure at the Kanan Pendari Zoo here after being rescued from a circus in Chattisgarh's Korba District. The two cubs-a male and female--each weighing a kilogram, were born on April 16 to Jamuna. The cubs have been kept away from public viewing as a precautionary measure. "We have an African lion couple which was brought from Korba District. They mated successfully last December, as result of which two cubs were born in our zoo, of which one is male and other is female. Both of them are being looked after by our staff," said A. S. Nath, Ranger In-Charge, Kanan Pendari Zoo. The cubs have been named "Prithvi" and "Vasundhara", both of which mean the earth. In 2001, the Government of India had banned live performance by animals in circuses. But there are many circus owners who flout the rules. During circus shows these animals are kept in cages and often starved and beaten for taming.
-May 3,  2007