According to a source, Billi Mucklow has “moved on” from her split with Andy Carroll and is feeling better than ever. Recent holiday snaps have revealed that Billi Mucklow is also looking sensational.
A smiling Billi showed off her stunning figure in recent holiday snaps(Image: Instagram)
Billi Mucklow showed her ex Andy Carroll exactly what he was missing when the 37-year-old former TOWIE star shared some sizzling snaps from her latest sunshine getaway. Rocking a striking blue bikini, bronzed skin and a carefree smile, Billi was flooded with praise for the photos, following her very public split from the former England footballer last September, after an 11-year relationship.
A source close to Billi claims to OK!, “She’s had a really tough time since the split – there was a lot of pain – but she’s moving on with her life and is definitely in her revenge body era. “Billi has put a lot into her fitness, lately. She’s lost weight – probably through a touch of the heartache diet – but she’s looking and feeling really good, more like her old self. Family and friends are saying she’s never looked better – that they’ve got ‘the old Billi’ back.”
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The former TOWIE star looked sensational as she posed in a blue bikini(Image: Instagram)
In the stunning photos, Billi was seen stumbling over a luxury villa as a dedicated mother to the former couple’s three children, Arlo, 10, Wolf, 7, and Marvel, 4, Emilie Rose, 15, Lucas, 14, and Andy’s children from a previous relationship.
And enthralled fans rushed to applaud her, one even saying, “Let’s show him what he’s missing, darling. What on earth did you think, Andy? “Another admirer added,” Andy? Best revenge is a good body, according to a third person. You are essentially winning.
While Billi was living her best life on her Spanish break, Andy, 36, was back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Police were reportedly called twice to what were described as “heated” arguments with his new girlfriend, make-up artist Lou Teasdale, during their own holiday in Mykonos – though no arrests were made.
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Billi is aware of the reports, but she wants nothing to do with them, the source claims. They claimed that she has well and truly moved on because all she cares about is the happiness of her kids. She claims that Andy is no longer her issue.
After a rollercoaster 2024, Billi has, to be honest, found peace. After only two years of marriage, Andy and their relationship ended last July.
The couple had seen their fair share of controversy during their 11 years together. They almost didn’t make it down the aisle after Andy’s alleged antics on his stag do in Dubai, before it was revealed that he was innocent of the accusations on social media. Their split may have left Billi heartbroken and forced to face life as a single mum, but rather than crumble, she is clearly picking herself up, pouring her energy into her kids and, crucially, herself, too.
Andy and his new girlfriend Lou had a ‘heated’ argument on holiday in Mykonos(Image: andytcarroll/Instagram)
Former Newcastle striker Andy has been having a less idyllic time of late, after being questioned about the bust-up he’d had with Lou, 41, at a packed beachside restaurant and then at their hotel. Responding to the reports, Andy and Lou – who have been dating since last October – admitted that the police were called following their “heated discussion”, however both insisted things had been “blown out of proportion”.
They jointly stated in a statement that we had a heated discussion of the kind that most couples have occasionally had while having a private dinner in a restaurant in Mykonos. The police quickly realized that there was no justification for their presence. We left the restaurant with them together because they both vowed to “look after” us.
“An interested member of the public has blown the situation out of control,” he said. No one was detained or charged with anything. We are delighted, in love, and optimistic about our future together, but we are disappointed that a private disagreement has become a topic of public discussion.
Billi obviously has an army of fans hoping to extend her newfound luster, with some pleading for her to return to reality TV or even launch her own fitness range. She was praised as a “superwoman” for juggling motherhood, heartache, and getting a fabulous new figure all at once. Many people even thanked her for showing them that heartache can be overcome when things don’t go according to plan.
What will Billi do next, then? We’d like to see more sunny days, more time with her adorable kids, and more swimsuit slays, perhaps even a new romance? Her message to fans is undoubtedly that heartache shouldn’t have to happen.
The Queen of Burlesque exclusively shares her incredible career, her turbulent romantic past, and her sincere thoughts on why she never established a family.
Dita admits she never imagined she’d be a worldwide success(Image: Getty Images for David Jones)
As the undisputed queen of burlesque, Dita Von Teese has been entertaining audiences in little more than a corset for three decades. Now she’s bringing a new show, Diamonds And Dust, to London. But despite her remarkable career, the humble 52-year-old, who has performed for international royalty, A-list celebrities and billionaire entrepreneurs, says she never anticipated global fame at the beginning of her journey.
“I carved out a space for myself when I first started performing burlesque shows in the 90s when it wasn’t really a thing,” she says. “Then I was headlining shows in Vegas and the Crazy Horse in Paris and London and travelling all over the world and I’m very proud of that.
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The star counts Taylor Swift as one of her biggest fans(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
I never imagined my global success would be possible. Never, ever, ever. Not once, either. Although it’s been a crazy experience, watching it keeps me inspired to keep evolving and changing people’s perceptions of what a burlesque show is and expanding the burlesque movement.
Helping her with that goal is none other than Taylor Swift, the one person who Dita would love to join her on stage this summer at the West End’s newest theatre, The Emerald. The unlikely duo joined forces in 2022 – in giant Martini glasses – when the 14-times Grammy Award winning singer songwriter invited Dita to appear with her in the video for her single Bejeweled. “If I needed a stand-in one night and she was in London, I’d definitely give Taylor a call,” says Dita. “She could definitely pull it off.”
“Taylor is a super-smart girl,” says Dita, whose ability to seductively blend golden era Hollywood glamour and attention-grabbing stunts – like appearing in a giant powder compact or on a bucking bronco refashioned as an oversized lipstick – catapulted her to international stardom and the covers of magazines including Playboy and Vogue.
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She first called me and said she was aware of my background and that I was a fantastic performer. After that, she explained the idea for the video, which was a burlesque reinterpretation of Cinderella, where we both end up alternating in chest-high Martini glasses while wearing only diamanté-studded bustiers.
Dita’s show Diamonds and Dust is at London’s West End(Image: Chris Jackson Collection)
She said, “I want you to be in this video because I want people to know what you do.” She merely spearheaded the entire video shoot, which was extremely smart and savvy. Watching her was amazing. On that set, I really enjoyed getting to know her and talking to her.
In her personal life, Dita has been with her partner, designer Adam Rajcevich since 2014 – seven years after her tumultuous divorce from goth rocker Marilyn Manson. The controversial musician faced sexual assault and domestic violence allegations until California prosecutors dropped all charges in January this year. Dita is delighted that her life today is a million miles away from the media circus it had become when she and Manson, real name Brian Warner, were together.
Dita, who was born in West Branch, Michigan, recalls her divorce and makes fun of it. “I can be like, Whoa,” I thought. When did you divorce the rock star, exactly? You can learn from every circumstance, though it was crazy. I’ve grown weary of dating in the public eye, and I’m not interested in dating any of those famous couples who “sling s**t at each other on X.”
Dita lives in her Tudor revival mansion at the foot of the Hollywood Hills, where she rarely gets to spend time with her other half. While Adam is working on her new show in London, she is content to take some domestic chores.
“The most romantic thing in my life right now is just that I can go off and do my thing, and I have someone who will take care of my kitties and call me every morning and send me video updates. That’s super romantic to me. It’s not like, ‘Oh, you’re gonna have to just take care of yourself,’ or, ‘Why aren’t you here?’ It really means a lot.”
The star – who also appeared on screen in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and on The Masked Dancer – looks at least a decade younger. A passionate advocate of clean living, minimal alcohol and even more minimal exposure to the UVA rays of the sun, she was disappointed to have to answer accusations from ITV viewers that her beauty is anything but natural, when she appeared as a guest on Lorraine in January.
The performer says she can look back on her messy divorce from Marilyn Manson and ‘laugh at it now’(Image: Getty Images)
“I was like, ‘I have had no work done. I haven’t even had Botox,’ then I started going, ‘Does my face look weird? Does my face look puffy? Do I look like I’ve had some injections?’ Because honest to God I’ve not had any work done. I was like, ‘I haven’t even got started on any of that yet,’ and I thought, ‘Wow, it’s weird to have people accusing you of having plastic surgery when you just haven’t.’”
But she avoided making any comments about her critics. It was just left alone, I thought. Someone else said to me, “Just look at it as a compliment.” Nobody will ever be happy. They’ll be upset if you tell them what you did. They believe you to be lying if you claim that you didn’t do anything. I’m at a loss for words. It’s challenging.
Dita has also grown tired of decades of questions asking her to justify her decision not to have children. “Looking back at my life, I think, ‘When would I have done that?’” says Dita, who has two sisters, Sarah and Jena. “I do remember one time about 20 years ago Madonna telling me not to let motherhood pass me by and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, well, I guess it has though.’ Do I feel like she was right? I don’t know. I’d just got divorced and then life happens and then suddenly you’re like, ‘Oh, here we are.’”
The future for Dita may not involve motherhood, but it may well involve a new continent. “After the fires, I’m definitely considering saying goodbye to LA,” says Dita. “Do you think the UK will take me?” she asks. “I can totally see myself in the British countryside. Maybe not London, but perhaps Ireland or Scotland.”
She has no desire to hang up her corset any time soon, whether in California or Cowdenbeath.
Diamonds And Dust is at London’s Emerald Theatre. For tickets, visit diamondsxdust.com.
Reebok’s sporty and accommodative swimsuit was the ideal choice for feeling secure and at ease when I took it with me. I was so pleased with how it turned out.
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I wore the Reebok swimsuit on holiday and got so many compliments(Image: Faith Richardson)
I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I find swimmingwear to be one of the most difficult things to buy. I need a swimsuit that makes me feel comfortable and confident, and it can be challenging to find the right body shapes and sizes.
So when I purchased Reebok’s Adalia One-Piece Swimsuit, which cost $37.99, and took it on a girls’ trip, I was over the moon when so many people commented on it. The sporty swimsuit is ideal to bring with you because it provides support while you practice your swimming moves and relaxing in a hot tub, as well as providing support while you engage in water sports or lap exercises.
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I spent a lot of time lounging in a hot tub, despite not doing much paddleboarding or kayaking on the trip. This swimsuit’s ability to make me feel at ease and not have to constantly adjust everything meant this.
The all-black design is slimming and flattering, as well as concealing lumps and bumps, but the white accents prevent it from being overly boring or plain. The Reebok Adalia One-Piece Swimsuit was a super-soft and supportive swimsuit that everyone raved about.
My favorite feature was the cross-over straps at the back, which I received many compliments for. They show just enough skin without being revealing, and they are stretchy enough to be comfortable while also providing additional support for the bust.
Reebok’s Adalia swimsuit(Image: Amazon)
The Reebok Adalia One-Piece Swimsuit’s material is thick and stretchy enough to support your figure and prevent seepage even when you move frequently. Additionally, the chest has padded cups that provide some extra support and coverage.
This swimsuit has been worn by me repeatedly for almost a year, and it hasn’t changed in any way. When it comes to buying swimwear, it also washes incredibly well, which is unquestionable.
My only real gripe is that it’s a little short in the body, so if you’re tall you might not find it gives you quite as much coverage as you’d like. We have however spotted a similar style at Marks & Spencer, with the Tummy Control Padded Strappy Swimsuit, £35, giving you a similar silhouette with a higher neckline, helping to give your chest some extra coverage.
You can purchase this Speedo Swimsuit Scoop Swimsuit in Peacoat for £34 at ASOS, which we also adore. For a flattering silhouette, it has a low scooped back and a high cut leg.
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However, it will be a very wise investment because I’ll be taking numerous more vacations and trips with it, so trusty Reebok’s Adalia One-Piece Swimsuit. It’s available for $ 37.99 on Amazon, or $ 37.99 on Sports Direct, where it’s currently on sale.
Since 1950, the British and Irish Lions have been performing their traditional kit, which includes red jerseys, white shorts, and blue socks with a green turnover at the top.
England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, the Lions, are the four rugby nations that make up the Lions, and they were chosen for their common colors.
Prior to 1950, the Lions had worn kits of various designs, all of which had red, white, and blue on them.
Blue and red horizontal stripes were present on a white shirt, white shorts, and blue socks in the first Lions kit from 1888.
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The blue jersey design caused a lot of controversy during the 1930 tour of New Zealand. First, it led to a kit conflict between the All Blacks, who were forced to find a solution and were forced to wear white for the first time in history.
Meanwhile, Irish lock George Beamish questioned the socks’ lack of green, which resulted in the addition of a green turnover. The blue jersey remained in place until 1938’s final tour before World War Two in South Africa.
The Lions made a return to New Zealand in 1950, and the blue jersey was switched to red to prevent the same kit tussle that caused the conflict in 1930.
With the exception of minor branding changes, the red jersey has continued to exist and remained unchanged.
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Lee Carsley has had little time to reflect on his whirlwind two years.
The eve of his second European Under-21 Championship final, as England look to defend their title against Germany in Bratislava on Saturday, is unlikely to be the time either.
Carsley’s six-game spell in charge of the senior side last year thrust him into the spotlight, one which he was not used to, and a return to the Under-21s has done little to keep him under the radar after guiding them to the brink of another trophy.
Two years ago it was new territory as England won the Under-21 Euros for the first time in 39 years but, such has been the nature of his journey, Carsley says he is yet to take in his achievements.
“I was actually thinking about this the other day and how fast things have moved,” he said.
“I definitely need a bit of reflection time but it’s been so exciting. I wouldn’t have changed it. It was such a privilege to do.”
Carsley says he learned a lot from coaching the senior team.
“You always wonder whether you’re capable of managing at that level, coaching at that level and that’s fine,” the 51-year-old said.
‘We have to trust the players’
A second European Under-21 title would match Dave Sexton’s achievements of 1982 and 1984 but Carsley had already justified the Football Association’s faith by delivering the trophy two years ago.
There was a strong sense he could replace Sir Gareth Southgate as senior manager, especially after two opening wins against Ireland and Finland at the start of his interim spell last summer.
He won five and lost one – a defeat to Greece which clearly still rankles – with Thomas Tuchel appointed last October, leaving Carsley to take charge of his final two games – Nations League victories against Greece and Ireland.
Carsley ultimately signed a new two-year deal with the Under-21s this month, one which will take him through to Euro 2027 in Albania and Serbia. A title defence would strengthen his case to be the man to succeed Tuchel.
The German is due to be in Bratislava for Saturday’s game and is dashing from the Club World Cup in America to watch the Young Lions and Carsley try to keep their composure against a Germany side they lost to last week.
Yet Carsley remained one of the coolest men in a sweltering stadium during Wednesday’s semi-final win against the Netherlands – despite his choice of a long-sleeve hooded top.
He spent spells of the second half crouching, he was far from passive but there was no loss of temper, angst or nerves visible.
He privately joked about keeping his temperament under wraps after the game, conceding he had felt the pressure, although stated publicly it was important to not let it show.
“If you watch us training I’m probably not as calm but it’s very difficult to coach on a matchday. We have to trust the players they can adopt the gameplan we’ve spoken about,” he said.
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Carsley has grown into the role. When he first succeeded Aidy Boothroyd in 2021 being a front facing member of the England set-up did not necessarily come naturally, even in small meetings with a limited number of reporters at St George’s Park.
A couple of slips during his time with the seniors – he was criticised for not singing the national anthem despite explaining it was something he did not do while playing for Ireland – and the surprising admission he would “hopefully” return to the Under-21s before Tuchel’s appointment was announced, created more headlines than he intended.
Since then, though, he has relaxed, with side jokes about journalists’ clothes in the hot Slovakian sun or nods in news conferences about topics he knew would come up from certain writers.
His other senior management experience came from caretaker spells at Coventry, Brentford and Birmingham but he is at ease in Slovakia and it shows.
He has respect from his peers too with Germany boss Antonio di Salvo, a former Bayern Munich forward, recognising the job Carsley has done.
“I talk to Lee every so often, we are good colleagues and have seen each other at a number of Uefa meetings,” he said.
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‘He makes everyone feel welcome and wanted’
Carsley does not pretend to be someone he is not either. He is genuine and honest, with excellent man management skills, traits similar to Southgate who he worked so closely with, having joined his staff for Euro 2024.
He brings the balls out for the warm-ups, not a usual responsibility for the head coach, but a small statement of his ways.
Noticeably, the players often use his nickname ‘Cars’ when talking about the head coach. Not ‘the manager’ or the ‘gaffer’ in a sign of his close relationship with them, which has allowed them to develop and shine in the knockout stages in Slovakia.
“He’s created a group but it’s not just Lee. It’s the whole whole staff group – it runs from the physios to the assistants, starts with Lee, runs all the way down,” said defender Charlie Cresswell.
“It feeds off to us players. We’ve got such a good group in there, the togetherness that we have as a squad it’s inspirational.”
Captain James McAtee has spoken about Carsley’s “belief and trust” while Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, who scored in the group stage defeat to Germany agreed.
Scott gives credit to Carsley’s methods as a man and manager to perfectly encapsulate his personality.
“It’s something that started with Gareth and what he brought into the England set-up, and Lee has done the same thing. The relationship we have as a team and the things we do off the pitch ultimately come together on it.
“Cars is massive for the group and makes everyone feel welcome and wanted as players. To have that relationship with your coach on and off the pitch is so important if we want to be successful.
“Winning the tournament two years ago and taking the seniors for those games, Cars has shown how good a man and coach he is.”
It will still matter regardless of the outcome in Slovakia but winning would create Carsley’s legacy and the former Coventry and Everton midfielder is eyeing a dynasty.
“Our record at this tournament, it’s fair to say, isn’t great. From not qualifying for the tournament or getting knocked out in the group stages,” he said.
“Obviously Dave Sexton started off great and you’d like to see a period of domination but we didn’t do that.
Results of Gujarat’s first lion population estimate since 2020 were released on May 21 by the forest department of the western Indian state of Gujarat. According to the census, India’s wild lion population – exclusively concentrated in Gujarat – has risen by 32 percent over the past five years to 891 lions.
Since the establishment of the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in 1965, India’s efforts to protect lions have long been focused on Gujarat’s Gir forest and its environs. Today, lions have dispersed and established separate satellite populations outside the Gir region and are found in 11 districts in Gujarat.
However, the census recorded more lions for the first time in Gir’s nine satellite populations (497) than the core population (394) across nine satellite populations. These include three new populations in neighbouring districts of Gir, including the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, areas around Jetpur city, and areas around Babra and Jasdan towns — all in Gujarat.
In line with the state and central governments, which have also argued in favor of developing and managing Barda to house more lions, the census report has designated Gujarat’s Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a “second home” for the big cat. Indeed, that is one of the primary goals of the 29, 277 million Indian rupee ($341m) Project Lion conservation programme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in March.
Experts question whether India is doing enough to reduce human-animal conflict and ensure the animal’s long-term conservation. The rising number of lions, however, masks the challenges facing the species’ future. On June 25, a lion mauled a five-year-old boy to death in Gujarat’s Amreli district, after dragging the child away from a farm.
We break down the key findings from the census and discuss the crucial battles that lie ahead for India’s big cats.
In this Sunday, June 9, 2013, photo, endangered Asiatic lions rest at the Gir Lion Sanctuary at Sasan in Junagadh district of Gujarat state, India]Ajit Solanki /AP]
The lions were counted in what way?
As per the Gujarat Forest Department, the lion population estimation was conducted over two 24-hour recording schedules from May 11-13. The state’s lion landscape was divided into 735 sampling regions, with each enumerated by an enumerator and two assistant enumerators. Lions were located and photographed with digital cameras, and cross-verified with adjacent sampling regions to avoid duplication, according to the report.
However, Yadvendradev Jhala, a specialist on big cat conservation and former employee of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), cautioned that “double counting” cannot be excluded, and that some lions may have been missed “due to the time constraint” imposed by the two-day exercise.
Ravi Chellam, a veteran wildlife biologist involved with lion conservation since 1985, questioned the logic of a methodology that required field staff to stay alert for 24 hours on two consecutive days. One can picture the field staff’s reduced level of concentration and fatigue, he said. “I find it difficult to believe that reliable and accurate data can be collected with such an approach”.
There are more reliable and robust scientific methods, such as combining lion photographs with whisker patterns, similar to those found in human fingerprints, to identify individual lions, according to both experts.
Still, Jhala said that the actual count is likely not very different from the census number.
On December 1, 2014, an animal hospital in the western Indian state of Gujarat, Rashila Ben, a forest guard, holds a lion cub.
What’s behind the sharp rise in lion numbers?
According to experts, the Gujarat state government’s policies and the lions’ adaptability have contributed to the population’s success.
According to Jhala, lions will continue to expand their population as long as there is food and cover available, and the animals aren’t attacked. He claimed that there is food for both feral cattle and livestock as well as dead carcasses for scavenging.
The Gujarat government’s “compensation for livestock loss is almost near market value and is revised regularly to reflect current market rates”, Jhala said. This has allowed humans and lions to coexist together ever more.
Meanwhile, the new census shows that the coastal Gujarat district of Bhavnagar and adjacent areas along the state’s coast – far from the dry deciduous habitats of Gir – are now home to 212 lions. According to Jhala, the invasive Prosopis juliflora species (a kind of mesquite) along the coast provide “refuge for lions throughout the day and they can come out at night to feed in agropastoral landscapes.”
Lionesses at the Gir Sanctuary in the western Indian state of Gujarat, India]File: Rajanish Kakade/AP Photo]
Gujarat can host how many more lions?
Since 2010, Gujarat’s lion population has more than doubled, and their territorial range has increased by 75 percent, from 20, 000 to 35, 000 square kilometres (7, 700 to 13, 500 square miles). Only 250sq km of the area are exclusive to lions, and only 1800sq km of that area is protected.
According to the census, 45 percent of lions recorded were found in non-forested areas such as wastelands, agricultural lands and near human habitats.
They run the risk of getting electrocuted, falling into open wells, being hit by heavy vehicles and trains, and also contracting infections, according to Chellam. He pointed out that lions have been regularly documented in unusual locations such as the terraces of homes, in the basement parking lots of hotels, and on busy highways.
According to Chellam, “the region as a whole has far exceeded its carrying capacity.” He says it’s not sensible to have an “increasing lion population in what are essentially human habitations”.
Jhala concured. “The question is: How much are people willing to tolerate a large carnivore in their neighbourhood”?
On July 18, 2009, employees at a shipbuilding facility in Bhavnagar, which is 180 kilometers (112 miles) west of Ahmedabad, work on a vessel. The coastal district is now home to a lion population for the first time]Amit Dave/Reuters]
What effect will Gujarat’s population experience as soaring lions?
According to a human-lion conflict study in the Conservation Biology journal published in November, there has been a 10 percent annual increase in the number of villages in Gujarat reporting livestock attacks and a 15 percent increase in livestock killed per year.
Data from 2012 to 2017 are used in the paper. Jhala, who a co-author of the study, anticipates growing human-lion conflict.
He claimed that living with a large carnivore is difficult. “You learn that you can’t let your kids roam around in the fields at night, that you need to clear the vegetation near your huts, that going out for defecation in the field during twilight hours is to be prevented, that you need walled corrals for your livestock”.
Chellam concurred. “While the increase in the number of lions is viewed by many, and especially the government, as a positive sign, the reality is that more and more lions are risking themselves as well as the lives of tens of thousands of people”, he said. There have been numerous instances of lions being harassed, and there is an increasing trend of lion attacks on people.
A man wades through floodwaters in Vadodara, Gujarat state, India. If all of the lions are packed into one reserve, they are more vulnerable to natural disasters, according to experts who advocate for the authorities to establish a second home for the creatures.
Is Barda a ‘ second home ‘ for the lion?
According to the census report, the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary’s range has an established lion population (17) for the first time since 1879. While the Gujarat government pitches Barda as a “second home” for lions, Chellam and Jhala say its small size and proximity to Gir mean that it fails the test of what qualifies as a geographically distinct habitat that can sustain a “second” lion population.
Because they are close to Gir, the satellite population in Barda qualifies as a range expansion for lions, but it cannot be regarded as a separate population.
“The whole point in translocating lions to establish a ‘ second ‘ free-ranging population is to ensure geographical isolation, to mitigate the risks of having the entire population of an endangered species at a single site”, Chellam explained.
Compared to Gir’s 1,400 square kilometers of core protected area, Barda is 100 kilometers away and only 200 square kilometers in size. “It]Barda] is a small area with a very low-density prey population. He continued, “It is ineligible to have a viable population of lions.”
“The risks are numerous and include cyclones, floods, forest fires, disease outbreaks, political decisions, droughts, poaching, violence and wars”.
On Wednesday, June 15, 2011, Ram and Laxman of the Lions play in an enclosure at Hyderabad, India’s Nehru Zoological Park.
Why aren’t lions being moved outside Gujarat?
Conservationists have been piqued by this query, which has even frustrated the Indian Supreme Court.
In April 2013, the country’s top court ordered the Gujarat state government to translocate a few Asiatic lions to Kuno National Park in the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh within six months to create a geographically separate, free-ranging lion population. The ideal setting for lions was Kuno, which has large tracts of forests and grasslands as its ideal prey.
Though the Gujarat government assured the top court that it would comply with the order, 12 years later, the order is still to be implemented, and neither the federal nor the state government has faced any consequences. It is “very disappointing to see the impunity that the Gujarati government and the Indian government have been operating in the relocation of lions to Kuno,” Chellam said.
According to Jhala, it is also a failure on the part of wildlife biologists and conservationists. Without the government, conservation is impossible. I think biologists have failed in convincing the government that Kuno is an ideal place to have a second home for lions”, Jhala said.
On Sunday, September 4, 2022, two cheetahs are seen inside a quarantine facility before being relocated to India at a reserve close to Bella Bella, South Africa. Three cheetah cubs, born to a big cat brought to India from Namibia last year, died in May 2023]Denis Farrell/AP Photo]
Cheetahs haven’t moved to Kuno, yet?
On September 17, 2022, eight Southeast African Cheetahs were flown in from Namibia to Kuno National Park as part of India’s efforts to reintroduce the cheetah to the country. In India, in 1952, the cheetahs had previously become extinct.
However, the introduction of cheetahs to Kuno set off a debate over whether that would impede plans to also move lions to the Madhya Pradesh reserve.
Lions and cheetahs could easily coexist in Kuno, according to Jhala, who spearheaded the 2022 plan to reintroduce the animals to India.
“In no way do cheetahs prevent lions from going there. They would perform better than cheetahs because lions love them because of the scenery and prey base in Kuno, he claimed.
Bringing in lions could also be helpful for cheetahs, Jhala added. With 22 leopards per 100 km2, Kono has one of the highest leopard densities in the world. Leopards pose more of a predatory threat to cheetahs, lions can help reduce leopard density as they prey on leopards, especially the young ones.
Chellam, however, questioned the cheetah reintroduction plan’s intentions because it was “more likely to continue stall and delay the transfer of lions to Kuno” as opposed to protect cheetahs.
Like Jhala, Chellam said that lions would do well in Kuno. “Lions are very resilient and hardy animals. If the translocation is planned and carried out carefully, there is no reason for the lions not to thrive in Kuno”.
Lions once ruled eastern India from Persia to Persia. Here, people fly the Iranian flag that was used before 1979, which had a lion on it, in New York, on April 14, 2013]Carlo Allegri/Reuters]
What will the big cat do next?
“It]lions in Gujarat] is a wonderful conservation story”, Jhala said. However, there are many things that can be done as a species for the lion. Forget about Kuno, we should try and establish lion populations across its historical range, within and outside of India”. The last of Asia’s lions outside of India were shot and killed in Iran in the 1940s as part of the old range of lions that stretched from Persia to eastern India.
The current concentration of lions in just Gujarat, Chellam said, was a “ticking time bomb”.