The ZSL originally applied to import 2.2 Asian Lions from the Gir Forest.
Prague Zoo are also due to get some from the same source.
This is a bit of a let-down, but hardly surprising given the history of the local Indian Lion native species conservation breeding program. There is very little rationale involved in India in conservation breeding and a lot is lost in politics and a mind-boggling bureacracy sadly ...!
Given ZSL will set up a program both ex situ at Sakkarbaug - new lion exhibitry (that is a real pain ... now) - as well as in situ advice on lion management at Gir and beyond, I still have a vague yet sincere hope that the 1.1 addiotional lions may yet materialise at a later date.