Guest guest Posted December 5, 2007 Report Share Posted December 5, 2007 Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071205/asp/guwahati/story_8628229.asp *Zoo picked for breeding* A STAFF REPORTER *Dec. 4:* The Assam zoo has been asked by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to carry out conservation breeding of 14 species — which is the highest in the country. The CZA has asked the zoo to make necessary arrangements to carry out the exercise as it requires expertise and hard work. " This is a big project and we are working towards it. It is also a matter of great honour for us that the CZA considered the zoo for the project, " a zoo official said. During a recent visit to the Assam zoo, the member secretary of CZA, B.R. Sharma, had a discussion with the zoo authorities on their plans and programmes. Modern zoos contribute to conservation and saving species from extinction by captive breeding. " The maintenance of species in captivity in zoos or the ex-situ conservation is the only hope for the survival of some species where the threat to their existence in the wild is now extreme. This method, however, serves many other purposes such as allowing more control over breeding in order to avoid inbreeding, increased reproductive rate, providing educational and public awareness programmes and providing materials for basic and applied research, " the official said. The zoo official said offsite enclosures are being made for five species — golden langur, golden cat, rhino, serow and grey peacock pheasant. Offsite enclosures are those which will not be in public view. The work has been given to the Assam zoo as it has a suitable area on its premises to carry out such an exercise. " There are a number of resource persons available in the city who can help the zoo carry out conservation breeding, " the official said. The offsite enclosures will be in the forest areas and the CZA member secretary was shown the sites where these will be constructed. All funds right from making offsite enclosures to making plans will be borne by the CZA. " This will take some time as it is a very cumbersome task, " the official said. -- United against elephant polo http://www.freewebs.com/elephantpolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 Hi Azam, It is a great honor for the management of the zoo, but so sad for the animals. This zoo that I visited with you two years ago was, although set in a nice natural environment, probably one of the worst managed government zoos that I have ever seen. Rusted, small, and dirty cages with no enrichment. It seemed to me that the only places that were cleaned were the paths the visitors walk on... Unbelievable that they now will be told to breed even more in this miserable facility. I wonder why zoos (and especially one like this one) are still claiming to be involved with conservation. Ask them to check their dictionary. Edwin Wiek aapn [aapn ] On Behalf Of AZAM SIDDIQUI Wednesday, 05 December, 2007 12:27 AAPN List; bwright; Tito Joseph; Anuradha Sawhney; Suparna Ganguly (IN): Zoo picked for breeding Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071205/asp/guwahati/story_8628229.asp *Zoo picked for breeding* A STAFF REPORTER *Dec. 4:* The Assam zoo has been asked by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to carry out conservation breeding of 14 species - which is the highest in the country. The CZA has asked the zoo to make necessary arrangements to carry out the exercise as it requires expertise and hard work. " This is a big project and we are working towards it. It is also a matter of great honour for us that the CZA considered the zoo for the project, " a zoo official said. During a recent visit to the Assam zoo, the member secretary of CZA, B.R. Sharma, had a discussion with the zoo authorities on their plans and programmes. Modern zoos contribute to conservation and saving species from extinction by captive breeding. " The maintenance of species in captivity in zoos or the ex-situ conservation is the only hope for the survival of some species where the threat to their existence in the wild is now extreme. This method, however, serves many other purposes such as allowing more control over breeding in order to avoid inbreeding, increased reproductive rate, providing educational and public awareness programmes and providing materials for basic and applied research, " the official said. The zoo official said offsite enclosures are being made for five species - golden langur, golden cat, rhino, serow and grey peacock pheasant. Offsite enclosures are those which will not be in public view. The work has been given to the Assam zoo as it has a suitable area on its premises to carry out such an exercise. " There are a number of resource persons available in the city who can help the zoo carry out conservation breeding, " the official said. The offsite enclosures will be in the forest areas and the CZA member secretary was shown the sites where these will be constructed. All funds right from making offsite enclosures to making plans will be borne by the CZA. " This will take some time as it is a very cumbersome task, " the official said. -- United against elephant polo http://www.freewebs.com/elephantpolo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2007 Report Share Posted December 6, 2007 * >probably one of the worst managed government zoos that I have ever seen<* If you compare this zoo with the other zoos of the world or Asia then you will be very correct. But an insight into the Indian Zoos and you will certainly admit that this one is much better then the rest. *>Rusted, small, and dirty cages with no enrichment. It seemed to me that the only places that were cleaned were the paths the visitors walk on...<* After your visit between 2005 and 2006, I also took the matter with the Divisional Forest Officer both as a wildlife enthusiast and also as a cameraperson for NDTV. In fact I accompanied special correspondent and bureau chief of NDTV Guwahati Ms Bano Haralu to do a half an hour special report for NDTV 24x7 which was telecast on prime time National Televison. The zoos that we focussed on were mostly zoos from the northeast India and also the Alipore Zoo of Kolkata city. See this report: *Indian zoos in sub-standard conditions *Link :http://www.ndtv.com/environment/Wildlife.asp?id=85989 & callid=1 We used PETA-India undercover footage as well. There was a live discussion that followed the special report on NDTV that evening with a panel of guests that included CZA Member Secretary Mr. B. R. Sharma from New Delhi studios and PETA-India, advocate and campaigns coordinator N.G. Jayasimha from Mumbai. Simultaneously NDTV asked its viewers to participate on a live SMS poll to the question: Do the zoos of India be closed down for irregularities? As the program came to an end, the final result of the polls stood as follows: 99% said 'YES', 01% said 'NO' So you see there was tremendous pressure mounted on the CZA by the media and also the Supreme Court came down heavily following a petition by PETA-India. This is the report: *India's Zoos: A Grim Report* http://www.petaindia.com/zoo/zoo.asp Thereafter the Zoo saw significant development in many areas. *>Unbelievable that they now will be told to breed even more in this miserable facility.<* Yes, the sad part is that no matter how many judgments are passed, how many court orders are issued, Government Zoos have a record of finding best possible ways and means to go back to be practicing the wrongs. It is only the CZA who can come out with answers and objections as to why breeding has been given a green signal. I am sure the wildlife or animal welfare organizations are closely watching these developments and working on demanding explanations to this from the CZA. Edwin, can you please send across the Assam State Zoo ( Guwahati Zoo ) video and a set of observations and recommendations from your end. I would like to see what all has been achieved so far and what not. It is also good if a copy can be made available to the Zoo Director/ DFO here. *>I wonder why zoos (and especially one like this one) are still claiming to be involved with conservation. Ask them to check their dictionary.<* Sadly, I have to agree to that, as despite the good work that this Zoo has been doing there are still large areas which demand attention. The rusted cages are improving. Money has come for enclosures which are being designed the Singapore Zoo way. Pollution is also being checked. battery operated cars for visitors is running. The mortality rate of leopards rescued in Guwahati from city areas due to encroachment in hills, loss of prey animals and conflict has been almost NIL. This Zoo also acts as a rescue and rehab centre for the 'Urban Wildlife' for the City and its suburbs. Most of the animals such as leopards, small cats such as civets, pythons etc which are rescued either by the wildlife people or the general public are tried for release back to the wild. The good thing is that the management of the Zoo here listens and acts unlike other zoo managements of India. The bad thing is that there is a huge need of fund. The good thing again is that corporate fundings are flowing in slowly but steadily, hope all turns well soon. Azam On Dec 6, 2007 12:04 PM, Edwin Wiek <edwin.wiek wrote: > Hi Azam, > > It is a great honor for the management of the zoo, but so sad for the > animals. This zoo that I visited with you two years ago was, although set > in > a nice natural environment, probably one of the worst managed government > zoos that I have ever seen. Rusted, small, and dirty cages with no > enrichment. It seemed to me that the only places that were cleaned were > the > paths the visitors walk on... > > Unbelievable that they now will be told to breed even more in this > miserable > facility. > > I wonder why zoos (and especially one like this one) are still claiming to > be involved with conservation. Ask them to check their dictionary. > > Edwin Wiek > > > > > aapn [aapn ] On Behalf Of AZAM > SIDDIQUI > Wednesday, 05 December, 2007 12:27 > AAPN List; bwright; Tito Joseph; Anuradha Sawhney; Suparna > Ganguly > (IN): Zoo picked for breeding > > Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071205/asp/guwahati/story_8628229.asp > > *Zoo picked for breeding* > A STAFF REPORTER > > *Dec. 4:* The Assam zoo has been asked by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) > to > carry out conservation breeding of 14 species - which is the highest in > the > country. The CZA has asked the zoo to make necessary arrangements to carry > out the exercise as it requires expertise and hard work. > > " This is a big project and we are working towards it. It is also a matter > of > great honour for us that the CZA considered the zoo for the project, " a > zoo > official said. > > During a recent visit to the Assam zoo, the member secretary of CZA, B.R. > Sharma, had a discussion with the zoo authorities on their plans and > programmes. > > Modern zoos contribute to conservation and saving species from extinction > by > captive breeding. > > " The maintenance of species in captivity in zoos or the ex-situ > conservation > is the only hope for the survival of some species where the threat to > their > existence in the wild is now extreme. This method, however, serves many > other purposes such as allowing more control over breeding in order to > avoid > inbreeding, increased reproductive rate, providing educational and public > awareness programmes and providing materials for basic and applied > research, " the official said. > > The zoo official said offsite enclosures are being made for five species - > golden langur, golden cat, rhino, serow and grey peacock pheasant. Offsite > enclosures are those which will not be in public view. > > The work has been given to the Assam zoo as it has a suitable area on its > premises to carry out such an exercise. > > " There are a number of resource persons available in the city who can help > the zoo carry out conservation breeding, " the official said. > > The offsite enclosures will be in the forest areas and the CZA member > secretary was shown the sites where these will be constructed. All funds > right from making offsite enclosures to making plans will be borne by the > CZA. > > " This will take some time as it is a very cumbersome task, " the official > said. > > > -- > United against elephant polo > http://www.freewebs.com/elephantpolo > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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