Seven years after visitors to Byculla zoo saw its last lion, Jimmy, two of the big cats will be brought in from Gujarat to fill the void. The transfer process of the lions is almost over; the civic body is awaiting the Central Zoo Authority's permission to bring the lions.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said the lions are expected to be brought to the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo in the next 15 days. It had received the Gujarat government's approval for the transfer in March, but the model code of conduct for the general elections had halted the further process, said officials.