The rains are foiling the plans to bring the Asiatic lions to the city as civic officials are not planning to wait for another couple of weeks before sending a team to bring the large cats back to the Byculla zoo. After the leopards that were brought to the zoo a couple of months ago, the lions were the next big attraction for tourists and visitors.

Zoo officials had earlier intended to bring a pair of lions from the Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh in the first week of August and they were expected to be available for public viewing in November. However, heavy rains the city received in July has made them reconsider their plan. "It is raining heavily in Gujarat as well as in Maharashtra. Since we're bringing them by road, it is not safe to bring them in the middle of such heavy rainfall. We'll send a team possibly in the third week of August if it rains less," said a senior zoo official.