Adoption scheme for animals in Bannerghatta Zoo

[Guest guest]

Popularising Bannerghatta park's `Adopt the Wild' programme

 

Special Correspondent

 

http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/27/stories/2006102714870200.htm

 

 

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The annual cost of adopting a lion is Rs. 1.75 lakh

Bannerghatta park is a successful breeding ground for many endangered species

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IN THE WILD: A file picture of a lioness at the Bannerghatta National

Park near Bangalore. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

 

 

Bangalore: How many of us can claim to be the " foster parent " of a

hippopotamus or a zebra? You can, if you are prepared to shell out Rs.

1.2 lakh and Rs. 60,000 a year for each of these animals and can even

monitor their progress through the seasons.

 

Bannerghatta Biological Park, which launched its " Adopt the Wild "

programme for private funding for the upkeep of animals in near

natural habitats, is trying to popularise it. The money you contribute

will assure a better life for the adopted animals. It will be spent on

feeding them, their medical check-up and help the captive breeding

programme to enhance wildlife conservation, authorities at the park

say.

 

While the park does receive some funding from the Government, animals

have a habit of multiplying and there is also the shelter for rescued

animals to be considered. Twenty-two km from Bangalore, this

wilderness is acknowledged by the Zoo Authority of India to be a

successful breeding ground for several species of endangered animals.

 

It shelters 80 lions, 10 tigers, elephants and many types of

herbivores. The captive breeding programme requires expert veterinary

care and diet supplements and cost a lot of money.

 

The annual cost of adopting a lion is Rs. 1.75 lakh and a tiger is Rs.

1.45 lakh.

 

An elephant will be costlier at Rs. 2 lakh a year and a marsh

crocodile can cost Rs. 7,000. If you prefer something more exotic, you

can adopt a King Cobra for Rs. 5,500 a year. Throughout the world,

zoos and sections in wildlife parks have become few places where fast

dwindling species such as tiger can be bred under natural conditions.

 

Zoos are encouraged to exchange animals between them rather than

import them and then trying to make them adapt to unfamiliar

surroundings and climatic conditions.

 

The Mysore zoo became the first in country when it successfully bred

African elephants almost a decade ago.

 

It was also the first to go for corporate sponsorship for animals kept

in enclosures.

 

According to officials at the park, those adopting an animal will get

privileged entry to the park five times a year and their name will be

displayed at the respective animal enclosures.

 

They will be allowed to take photographs to be displayed at home. The

park can be contacted on Ph.: 2782540 or 2782300.