Mysuru:  Indian Forest Service (IFS) Officer Ajit M. Kulkarni took over as the new Executive Director of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo) from In-Charge Director Siddaramappa Chalakapure last evening.

The post was lying vacant since June 11 after the transfer of C. Ravishankar, who was shifted to Chikkaballapura and Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Siddaramappa was holding the additional charge.

Kulkarni is a 2008 Punjab Cadre IFS Officer and hails from Kalaghatagi in Dharwad. He has earlier served at Manas National Park in Assam and Chattbir Zoo in Mohali, Punjab. Apart from serving in the Zoos and National Parks, Kulkarni has vast experience in social forestry. He has been posted to Karnataka as he has a chance to serve his home State for five years.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, Kulkarni said that he would strive to achieve visitor satisfaction and no visitor will leave the Zoo disappointed. He will give priority to coordination between Zoo staff and officers so that there will be a good understanding between them.

Regarding animal exchange programmes carried out by his predecessors, Kulkarni said that the exchange programmes and captive breeding was a routine exercise and he would continue them.