Mysuru: The five-day compulsory training for IFS Officers on ‘Captive Management of wild animals and zoo management for zoo managers,’ began at Mysuru Zoo in city this morning.

Speaking after inaugurating the training programme, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF), Gangtok, Sikkim, P. Senthil Kumar, said that in recent days, the population of endangered wild animals in forests are declining.

Pointing out that there is a need to protect and conserve these endangered wild animals, the APCCF said that zoos across the country should give importance to conserve these endangered species and protect them from getting extinct. Zoos should take steps to increase their population for which such training programmes are necessary to discuss the ways needed to protect them, he added.

Senthil Kumar said that zoos should help in conserving these endangered species in captivity for which animal conservation management should improve and the staff need to be updated.

Giving a piece of advice, he said that young IFS Officers should work in zoos and involve themselves in conservation of wild animals with dedication.

Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Member-Secretary Dr. Sunil Panwar spoke about the management, health and food system of animals in zoos across the State.

Over 50 IFS Officers and zoo staff attended the training programme today. Mysuru Zoo Executive Director D. Mahesh Kumar, Asst. Director Dr. Shashidhar & others were present.