*The death of Shakti, a hippopotamus, at the Byculla zoo on April 24 has raked up a long-standing grudge of mismanagement on the premises.
* While conservationists world over are looking to save the lion, an endangered animal, the zoo’s only male lion Amar died prematurely on October 22, 2007, following a prolonged disease. Amar, a hybrid of African and Asiatic lion, was just eight.
* The zoo’s 30-year-old rhinoceros, Shiva has been living a celibate life for the past 19 years. The reason: the zoo is yet to find a partner for him.
Even as it is in the midst of a Rs 434-crore makeover, the 53-acre Jijamata Udyan, Byculla, is an example of neglect of animal rights. One of the oldest in the country, the zoo built in 1861 hardly serves its primary purpose — preservation of species or education to the public. Instead, animals live in sheer stress, teased by visitors and hassled by scavenger birds. With no standardised info boards giving details on the genus, nature or habitat of the 19 species of mammals, 39 species of birds and nine species of reptiles on display, visitors also learn nothing new.
Ray of hope
The death of Shakti may have actually come as a blessing in disguise. Confronted by criticism, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation last week appointed two honorary veterinarians to render advice and guidance to the zoo officials on day-to-day maintenance, healthcare management, enrichment activities and upkeep of the zoo.
The two doctors — Dr M S Karawale, former deputy superintendent (veterinary) of the zoo, and Dr Yuvraj Kaginkar, hospital manager of the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — conducted an inspection of the enclosures and made suggestions, zoo officials said. “The suggestions are varied, from improving conditions within enclosures to raising security at certain points. We will start working on them soon,” said Dr Sanjay Thripati, a zoo vet.
Quality of life
A change may be in the offing, but animal activists say the quality of life of animals has remained abysmal over the years. They say while efforts are on to give the city a swanky zoo of international standards in just two years, the physical and psychological health of the inmates have been neglected. “Recently, I visited the zoo and took photographs of children feeding potato chips to monkeys. People climb over the railings to take pictures, they pelt stones on them. We can’t change the mentality of people, we can only increase security,” said Sunish Subramanian of Plants and Animal Welfare Society.
Among the other tales of neglect are the death of 16 deer in February 2006. The deer died when three stray dogs entered their enclosures through holes in the grills, causing a stampede. A day after the incident, the then zoo superintendent was sacked and the gaps were closed with wire mesh. A guard who claimed to be present near the enclosure maintained that he did not hear or see a thing. The saddest story, though, is perhaps the death of Guru, a hippo, on June 6, 1998, when he fell into the moat surrounding his enclosure and lay unnoticed for nearly 24 hours.
In October 2004, People for Ethical Treatment to Animals (Peta) had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) against the unhealthy environment of the Byculla zoo. Subsequently, a committee was appointed to study the problem and suggest solutions. The recommendations included measures like enriching enclosures and building moats. Peta says the court order has brought in little changes.
New look
Deputy municipal commissioner (Gardens) Vikram Pawar says it’s a matter of time before the work for the new zoo begins. “It will house 273 mammals of 43 species, 183 birds of 24 species and 96 reptiles/amphibians of 26 species. Till then, we are following the CZA norms in maintaining enclosures, providing fodder and water as well as cleaning the exhibit.”
The new zoo proposes to have theme parks, an exploration centre, gift shops and a restaurant facing a cheetah enclosure.
