New plan for developing Islamabad Zoo

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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C11%5C13%5Cstory_13-11-2007_\

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CDA approves new master plan of Islamabad Zoo

 

** Up gradation work likely to begin in January

 

By Fazal Sher*

 

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has given final approval

to the Marghzar Zoo new master plan and up gradation of the zoo is expected

to begin in January next year.

 

According to the plan, more land has been acquired for the zoo bringing its

total area from 25 to 60 acres. A senior CDA official told Daily Times that

under the new plan, the number of animal species in the zoo would also be

increased from 69 to around 200. He said currently there were around 320

animals in the zoo including leopards, ducks, gray wolfs, rhesus monkeys,

spider monkeys, elephants, chinkaras, gray gorals, black bucks, blue bills,

yaks, ostriches, barking dears, urials, hog dears, moulin sheep, spotted

dears, red foxes, jackals, Indian blue peafowl, civets, steppe eagles and

owls. Under the new plan, their number would be increased up to 1,000.

 

The zoo would be divided into several areas such as a mountain area, plains,

wetlands, snake house, bird awiry and an exotic specials area where animals

would be provided their proper environment.

 

The CDA official said the authority would house 75 percent local animals and

25 percent exotic animals in the zoo, which would be upgraded in line with

international standards. The zoo was established in 1978 over an area of 25

acres near the Margallah Hills National Park and some indigenous and exotic

species were housed in it.

 

" Currently some animals, including a lion, are missing. The zoo management,

owing to its carelessness and negligence, has lost several animals including

the lion that was gifted in mid 1980s by a resident of Chakwal. The

management also failed to provide proper environment to the animal, " he

added.

 

Raja Javed, the zoo director, said the authority had approved a new master

plan of the zoo and up gradation work begin in January next year. He said

the zoo would be upgraded at international standards. Javed said the zoo

would also have new trained staff.