BORN to be FREE!

One last look at the enclosure!
Gopa (standing closer to the tree) and Jespah, near the stone.

22nd September, 2013 is a joyous day to many of us who are regular visitors and volunteers at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali. Well, why am I writing about the day being 'joyous' to me...more than anybody else it is a 'significant' and a 'jubilant' day to 2 of the cutest lion cubs of SGNP!

JESPAH, walking out of the enclosure alone.

It's the story of JESPAH & GOPA, the apples of the eyes of their mother 'Shobha', the proud lioness and father 'Badshah', the undisputed lion King (until recently)of SGNP. Badshah passed away a few months ago, after leading a healthy and full life. The cubs turned 2 years today and were officially regarded as 'adults', capable of embarking on a journey in the wild.  What better gifts could they have asked for or got even without having to ask for - FREEDOM.  The well nursed and healthy cubs were released into the protected area for the very first time, without their mother keeping a watchful eye on the two pranksters.

Within moments comes GOPA, out of the enclosure

Pretty 'Jespah' emerged out first, from the enclosure around 10.00 am, under the watchful eyes of the forest officials & staff.  Soon her brother, the handsome 'Gopa' walked out in a gait befitting a king! It was a moment which will be etched in our memory for ever. The safari van in which the whole team was witnessing this event was awestruck and the only sound heard inside was 'click click and more click'.

Jespah trying to cajole Gopa to enter into a mock fight.

The 2 cubs, unmindful of the presence of the safari van, inspected the immediate surroundings with the same curiosity with which the kittens explore the place when they take their first step away from their mother. Jespah seemed more ecstatic and was trying to involve the 'stiff-upper-lip' Gopa in a mock fight. But Gopa felt the need to know his territory well and more than anything else wanted to mark his territory immediately. He looked around and walked peacefully towards a log, inspected if there was anything interesting. 

Some manicure & pedicure?  
Gopa Sharpens his claws as Jespah waits for him to finish his activity.

Even as Jespah watched her brother sniffing and moving around cautiously, Gopa went straight to the nearby tree and immediately sharpened his claws and scratched the bark of the tree and growled. He seemed to be getting slowly used to the independence and the wild environment around him. In the next few minutes, even Jespah checked her paws, licked herself a bit and wondered if they would go deeper in to the jungle.

Within a short period Gopa was ready and looked in total control and seemed he was already taking the reigns of the forest in his hands. He continued to walk away from the enclosure into the woods...with his sister tailing him and occasionally playing with the creepers and small plants along the way. As they both wandered here and there, Gopa made sure he rubbed off his scent on the trees or sprayed generously the tree barks with his urine. 

GOPA - closeup

Gopa, establishing his territory by marking with his scent.  Jespah watches his brother's antics.

Playing with the creepers - Jespah.

Oh, I am going to grow my ROYAL  MANE - Gopa.

The team watching the kids, I mean the cubs...Oh no, no, no... NOW, the 'adult lion & lioness', had a lump in the throat as we drove out of the forest. 

I AM THE KING - Gopa.

Being Naughty & playing Hide n Seek, is top on my priority list - Jespah.

Three cheers to Gopa and Jespah and the forest office staff who were taking equal care if not more than the cubs' mother Shobha !! Happy Birthday, kiddos - May you rule the JUNGLE!