Activists protest as 'uncaring' Mumbai zoo tries to buy #penguins

By Kunal V Shinde

Published: 9 February 2015

A dismal record in taking care of its inmates may throw a spanner in Veer Jijamata Udyan’s attempt to acquire Humbolt Penguins. 

The zoo in central Mumbai’s Byculla had a high mortality figure of 161 animals and birds in 2010-11. 

Moreover, political observers feel the keenness of the zoo authorities, popularly called the ‘Ranicha Baug’, to acquire the South American penguins is linked to the fact that it will benefit the ruling Shiv Sena, which is at the helm of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and controls it. 

Zoo director Anil Anzankar said care would be taken to provide the right habitat for the Humbolt Penguins

A report says Byculla zoo had a high mortality rate in 2010-11

They say that the Shiv Sena wants to draw advantage from the penguin project by making it a poll plank issue for the BMC elections in early 2017, where it will once again try to wrest control of the richest civic body in the country. 

Byculla Zoo, the oldest in Maharashtra, has a poor track record when it comes to its animals' survival. In 2010, 11 animals died of various ailments in a span of three months. This included a lioness, an alligator and some deer. 

Similarly in 2011, the zoo lost 150 animals and birds, recording the highest mortality rate among all Indian zoos. According to a report, at least 40 animals have died from various diseases. 

Despite facing protests from animal rights activists, the zoo authorities have continued with their lackadaisical attitude towards the zoo animals. 

Activists feel that the zoo authorities are not ensuring 24-hour veterinarian services on the premises and are not providing companions for lonely inhabitants. They complain that there is a lack of trained staff to take care of the animals. 

The zoo authorities say they have been making necessary arrangements by designing a special enclosure to keep the penguins, which may cost around Rs 20 crores. 

“The work is on. We will soon issue the tenders to design the enclosure. Penguin requires different habitat and we are working in that regard,” zoo director Anil Anzankar said. 

He also said necessary care will be taken for the habitat of the penguins, which live in a cool temperature of 15- 20 degree Celsius.

source