Guest guest Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Dear Nilesh, One of the problems concerning management of elephants in captivity in India is that there are too many of them, in temples, reserve forests(under the custody of the forest department who use them to carry tourists) and logging camps. Sometime ago, I approached some conservationists on the government's proposal to relax trading restrictions for elephants in India. The general consensus of opinion was that they were being misused. Sometime last year if I remember correctly, a young American girl named Rhea Ghosh did a study on captive elephants in India and arrived at pretty much the same conclusion. If we accept that as a reasonable platform on elephant captivity issues, it seems weird, if not insane, to bring in an elephant to Bombay Zoo from Santiago in Chile which is at the other end of the world. Shiva's case is well known and could have been solved only if some Indian zoos were willing to part with one specimen or if he was sent away. The same thing could have been done for the lone elephant. Besides, when I visited Bombay Zoo there was more than one specimen so maybe this animal is not compatible with the others and may also not get along with the new animal. I am somewhat at a loss to understand why the Central Zoo Authority of India encourages such deals. Apart from the enormous cost involved in travel, the imported animals may not survive in the new location. Maybe you could consider highlighting this aspect in your campaign. Best wishes, Yours sincerely, On 9/10/06, nilesh <nilesh wrote: > > Dear All, > > latest update on Mumbai Zoo > > http://www.westsideplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=WP2ART922006 > > > Regards, > Nilesh > ............................................. > THE BUCKS' STOP HERE > > > Sudhir Suryawanshi, Borivali > > > Very soon your visit to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali, > might see you coming across new inmates. The excessive number of black > bucks at the Vir Jijamata Udhyan at Byculla will be reduced by > transferring them to SGNP as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) > is all set to revamp Vir Jijamata Udhyan at Byculla. > > The total estimated cost for the project is nearly Rs 100 crore and this > year a provision of Rs 25 crore has been made for the revamp. > > Animal welfare organisations like People for Ethical Treatment of Animals > (PETA) had been complaining about the pathetic condition of the zoo and > had requested an overall revamp and change. They had even asked the civic > authority should close down the zoo if they were unable to do so. However, > the BMC is working on the master plan and with the help of the suggestions > from the McKinsey Committee on zoo redevelopment, the Vir Jijamata Udhyan > might soon acquire a new look. Also, vacant posts of various officers at > the zoo will be filled up soon. > > " Tenders have been floated on international level and the city will get > very soon the world-class zoo, " said BMC's Additional Municipal > Commissioner, RA Rajeev, adding, " Consultants from Thailand and Singapore > have responded for the makeover plan of Jijamata Zoo. Even, experts from > America, England and Singapore will work to fructify this revamp idea. " > > Adding further he said, " The focus will now be on public awareness and > education on wild life, which will help in protecting the 130-year-old > zoo, which is situated on 52 acres land, near Byculla railway station. " > > The Jijamata Udyan attracts 35 lakh visitors every year and, with its > nominal tickets of Rs 5 for adults and Rs 2 for children, it is a magnet > for families from lower and middle-income groups. " The ticket rates may go > up after this proposed revamp, " stated Rajeev. > > Over the last few years, the zoo has been accused of reducing its striped > and fanged inmates to nervous wrecks, permitting a spate of unexplained > deaths and also of failing to provide partners for some of its inmates. > " However, a male rhino by the name Shiva will soon get female partner, > after 33 years, while male elephant Rajkumar will get a companion after 20 > years, both coming in from Santiago. These animals are being brought in > exchange of the male inmates at the zoo. We are also trying to bring > tigers from forests across India, " informs Rajeev. > > Moreover, the problem of animal harassment will be eliminated as the BMC > plans to re-create a natural habitat in the zoo. > > > > > > For more information on Asian animal issues, please use the search feature > on the AAPN website: http://www.aapn.org/ or search the list archives at: > aapn > Please feel free to send any relevant news or comments to the list at > aapn > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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