Mysuru: Striving to work hard to take Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (popularly called Mysore Zoo) to international heights, the new Executive Director C. Ravishankar said that in order to achieve this he would take the staff and the administration into confidence for the smooth functioning of the Zoo.

He was speaking to Star of Mysore after taking charge from DCF Yelukundalu, here on Friday at the Zoo auditorium and said, “It is at a historic time when the Zoo is celebrating its 125th anniversary that I have taken charge. We want to make this celebration a meaningful one. I will seek the co-operation of the staff to work hard for its improvement. The impression that most people have is that Zoo means only housing animals for display. However, there is a lot of thought behind Zoo management including creating awareness among the people about the animals, birds, reptiles and all kinds of exotic animals housed in the Zoo. It also involves the protection of the staff and the tourists who visit the Zoo and I will give them prominence.”

Under the animal exchange programme, a few of the schemes have come to a standstill. This will be reviewed and decision taken as to which animals should be brought under the scheme and we will try to get them. Already preparations are in full swing for the 125th anniversary and in the light of this, a few more items will be included, said Ravishankar.

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Ravishankar, whose parents Chikkamada Nayaka and Chandramma are residents of T. Narasipur in Mysuru district, joined the Forest Department in 2005. He underwent training in Dehra Dun between 2005 and 2007 and from 2007 onwards, he has worked in Bandipur, Hediyala, Male Mahadeshwara Hills and in Chamarajanagar District as Deputy Conservator of Forests. Since the last two years, Ravishankar has done very good work in the Forest Mobile Squad and earned the laurels of the Department. Now, he has been appointed to the number one Zoo in the country as its Executive Director.

Zoo Authority Chairperson Mallige Veeresh and others have welcomed the new appointment of Ravishankar.