Media reports on Bombay Zoo

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Jijamata Udyan: A zoo without a view[image: Add to

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Archana Sharma

*[ 13 Oct, 2003 0015hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]*

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Over the last few years, it has been accused of reducing its striped and

fanged inmates to nervous wrecks, permitting a spate of unexplained

deaths—and, of course, failing to provide partners for some of its doleful

inmates.

 

An increasingly vocal lobby is now pointing to the pathetic conditions in

the Jijamata zoo and demanding that it be closed down.

 

Many others, however, feel that it remains an important institution in this

nature-starved metropolis.

 

But almost everybody agrees that the animals are in bad shape. Just last

month, seven deer died of a bacterial disease, raising questions about

hygiene and living conditions.

 

This recalled a similar tragedy when, about six years ago, four kangaroos

from Australia died of a mysterious illness.

 

More recently, Zoocheck Canada, an international organisation which

recommends changes in zoos around the world, described the Mumbai zoo as a

" relic'' of an insensitive past and pointed out that the animals were

traumatised, harassed by the public and neglected by the authorities.

 

Indeed, the report went so far as to demand that the zoo be disbanded, a

stand that is heartily endorsed by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals

(PETA).

 

" Zoos are nothing more than animal prisons maintained for human amusement

and we believe that the key to saving exotic animals lies in saving their

habitat, not removing them from it, only to be placed in an unnatural and

abusive environment,'' says Anuradha Sahwney, chief functionary for PETA

(India).

 

This argument is challenged by Neera Punj of Citispace, which fights for the

retention of open space in Mumbai.

 

" Why should anyone talk about closing the zoo instead of finding ways to

manage it efficiently?'' she demands.

 

" Zoos are small respites and the people of Mumbai need breathing spaces to

retain their sanity.'' Clearly, this view has many takers.

 

The Jijamata Udyan attracts 25 lakh visitors every year and, with its

nominal tickets of Rs 5 for adults and Rs 2 for children, is a magnet for

families from lower and middle-income groups.

 

Indeed, the visitors continue to gawp and giggle over the 200 animals (26

species), 450 birds (45 species) and eight reptiles, despite allegations of

neglect.

 

Admittedly, the zoo is attempting to hobble ahead with the times. " We have

to take into account that ours is a 130-year-old zoo and we are modernising

it in a big way,'' says zoo superintendent K.L. Velodi.

 

After the four elephants in the zoo were liberated from their foot-irons and

moved to a relatively luxurious, 8,000 square metre enclosure, another moat

enclosure for deer is under way.

 

The monkeys, too, will soon have a moat enclosure instead of cages. These

are being designed by the former director of the Hyderabad zoo, Pushp Kumar.

 

 

The authorities point out that the zoo boasts some successes as well. It

managed to breed rare varieties of birds like macaws and swans a few years

ago and has released 200 deer in the wild.

 

PETA, though, is not convinced. It claims that even in their new enclosure,

the pachyderms are chained for most of the day.

 

Moreover, it requires a more creative approach to modernisation.

 

" Monkeys are very intelligent animals and should be provided with things

which keep them occupied,'' says Ms Sawhney.

 

" Just string up a hammock for them to swing or tap their creativity by

keeping food hidden.

 

They love to play in water so a pond would do good.'' Eventually, however,

the anti-zoo movement sees these as mere cosmetic changes.

 

Ms Sahwney, for example, argues that the zoo conveys an unfortunate message

to children. " It teaches them that it is okay to keep animals in captivity

for our pleasure,'' she says.

 

" An animal living in a concrete enclosure is much different than the animal

in the forest. Take a child to the zoo and what he is seeing is a lion and a

tiger sitting in an enclosure. That is not what the child is meant to learn.

Keep them in reserve forests and sanctuaries. At least we won't see a parody

of an animal.''

 

The zoo authorities point out, however, that few families can actually make

the journey to the Gir Forest or Kanha National Park.

 

Also, they warn that shutting the zoo would only serve to free up 48 acres

of land. " Do you think the land would be kept untouched as a botanical

garden, knowing how construction-happy our government is?'' asks an

official.

 

" Given the powerful builders' lobby, at least some of this lush green area

will turn into a concrete jungle.''

 

Most observers agree though that this is a sorry reason to keep the zoo

alive. Ms Punj says she went to the zoo once and has never felt like going

again.

 

" I lived in Singapore for 11 years and I have seen the way zoos are

excellently run there. Through ticket sales alone, the BMC earns a crore a

year. But I wonder how much of it is being spent on the animals and

upkeep.''

 

http://soniafaleiro.blogspot.com/2005/06/animal-harm.html

Sonia Faleiro Friday, June 03, 2005 Animal Harm

Sickness and unnatural deaths. Plastic bags billowing in a moat where a

crocodile seeks refuge from the sun. This is the Veermata Jijabai Bhonsle

Udyan Zoo in Mumbai's Byculla. Fifty-two acres with 200 animals, 450 birds,

60 reptiles and enough controversy for them all to feed off.

Last year, Zoocheck Canada and People for Ethical Treatment of Animals

(peta) released separate reports about the zoo's substandard conditions —

filthy cages, empty water troughs, and visitors feeding monkeys food stuffed

with tobacco. The reports followed several horrifying deaths including that

of a deer, discovered with 3 kg of plastic in its stomach. When Professor

Jacob V. Cheeran of the Central government's Project Elephant visited the

zoo in 2004 he pointed out that an elephant, Radha, was showing signs of tb.

Officials ignored his concerns and this January, Radha died. Radha's death

reignited debate about whether the zoo has the infrastructure and, in fact,

interest to care for its animals.

In March, the Bombay High Court ordered relocation of some animals because

of a lack of space. Out of 52 acres, only one-third is for the animals.

Gardens and administrative buildings consume the rest. The deputy

superintendent of the zoo, Dr Murlidhar N. Wani says, " The zoo was developed

in 1873. Change takes time. " But even during the transfer, officials were

allegedly lax. Says Anuradha Sawhney, peta's chief functionary, " The deer

were released into the Borivali National Park among predators without

conforming to wildlife guidelines. They couldn't have survived. " Other

recommendations, like providing a mate for Shiva the rhino, who at 25 is

still single, are yet to be implemented.

Nevertheless, their survival even in the zoo isn't guaranteed. Under signs

requesting visitors not to feed animals, children give deer chips from

plastic packets. Wani says the 40 animal keepers and 45 security guards

intervene when rules are flouted, but animal activists dispute this. The

guards work in three shifts, and at any given time only 15 patrol the entire

52 acres.

Apart from protecting its animals, a zoo must also highlight the importance

of conservation. The Mumbai zoo is bereft of educational tools. The animals,

says advocate Raj Panjwani, who was part of the committee that gave the

report based on which the court passed the order, " are a mere distraction "

for the visitors " who come for recreation " .

The Mumbai zoo is no anomaly. India's zoo keeping is marred by abuse. But,

unlike other zoos, the available space, visitors and support from the

manpower-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation afford the zoo less excuse.

With an annual maintenance budget of Rs 1 crore, the zoo is by no means

cash-strapped. It receives 10,000 visitors daily and 20 lakh visitors

annually.

Recently McKinsey & Company was asked to prepare a feasibility study on the

zoo's upgradation. But things won't be easy. While modern facilities will

help the animals, what is even more important is a modern attitude towards

their well-being. According to wildlife conservationist Bittu Sahgal, " The

zoo is a picture of misery for wild animals. "

Sadly, if the animals could, they would probably agree.

Tehelka, June 11, 2005

:: posted by Sonia Faleiro, 8:59 AM

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