Running zoos is a big challenge; become self-sufficient, say experts

Mysuru: The day- to-day affair of running zoos in the country is a big challenge these days and zoos should become self-sufficient, said a few experts at the Annual Conference of Indian Zoos organised by Central Zoo Authority and Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysuru here this morning..

Speaking at the inauguration of the four-day conference on the theme “Vision 2030 of the Zoos in India” at Hotel Radisson Blu, Dr. D. N. Singh, Member Secretary of Central Zoo Authority (CZA), said that in today’s circumstances, managing zoos are becoming very difficult. “Most of the zoos in the country need a lot of development and improvement as there is shortage of manpower in a few places. The animals should be provided quality healthy food and treatment,” he said.

He called for the support of the public to maintain zoos and also said that good Directors are required to maintain the zoos. “Do not confine yourself to the chambers. Instead go out and see what is happening and see that basic facilities like good drinking water and clean toilets are provided to the visitors.”

He said that when the zoo was started by the then rulers in Mysuru it was mainly for entertainment of the visitors. It has moved from mere entertainment to conservation now, he added.

Echoing the sentiments of the Member Secretary, C.S. Yalakki, Member of CZA said “It is a serious and a challenging task to run the zoos as we need better grooming for the animals, provide safe drinking water and healthy diet.”

Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Member Secretary B.P. Ravi said that zoos should become self-sufficient. “It should stop asking for funds from the government and depend on its own revenues. There are three important issues that a zoo should concentrate — Cleanliness, toilets and restaurant. If all these three are taken care of then it can attract more visitors,” he said and added that nearly 35,000 to 38,000 people visit the Mysuru Zoo everyday.

Inaugurating the conference ZAK Chairperson Mallige Veeresh said that Mysuru Zoo is celebrating 125 years of its existence. “In all these years it has grown and has been identified as one of the foremost zoos in the country,” she said.

Executive Director, Mysuru Zoo C. Ravishankar, Nagaland Chief Wildlife Warden Satya Prakash Tripathi, Project Elephant Director Manoj Kumar, delegates from across the country, Zoo and the Forest Department officials are attending the four-day conference. The last two-days of the conference will be held at Jungle Lodges and Resort in Kabini.