Kolkata activists want zoos abolished

September 6, 2006

News

Source: IANS.

Kolkata, July 3: A Kolkata-based animal rights group, demanding abolition of

zoological parks in urban areas, has found global support for its movement.The

Compassionate Crusaders Trust (CCT), a strategic partner of Maneka Gandhi's

People for Animals (PFA), was Kolkata's sole representative in the biennial

animal welfare meet 'Asia for Animals' that recently took place in Singapore.

Some 200 delegates from 20 Asian countries and representatives from the US and

Canada resolved to strengthen their movement against urban zoos. Singapore has

one of the world's biggest urban zoos.

" We are against the idea of zoos as centres for entertainment. We had filed a

petition in the Calcutta High Court in 1998 which led to zoo authorities taking

better care of animals and their living conditions, " Debasish Chakraborty of CCT

told IANS. He also represents the PFA in Kolkata.Indian zoo laws stipulate that

animals should be kept in conditions as close to nature as possible. But in most

zoos wild animals are kept in crammed cages and dirty enclosures.

CCT said the zoo authorities were violating laws that forbid sick and weak

animals from being displayed for the public.

" Having a shed over their head and concrete floor under their feet is not the

wild animals' idea of living close to nature. Instead of wasting money on zoos,

authorities should build animal rescue and conservation centres, " Chakraborty

said.

A central zoo authority official said they were preparing a list of guidelines

that would ensure better living conditions for the animals.

Chakraborty emphasised: " It's because of our efforts that talks of relocating

the city's zoo have been doing the rounds. " Use of animals has been banned in

circuses in India but wildlife, especially several endangered species like

tiger, are under constant threat. At least 10 leopards had died in a wildlife

rescue centre in northern Bengal in the past one year.

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