(IN): Crowd conduct baffles zoo

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080209/jsp/guwahati/story_8879672.jsp

 

Crowd conduct baffles zoo

A STAFF REPORTER

**

*Feb. 8:* Official at the zoo today said they were finding it difficult to

keep tabs on every visitor though they had stepped up their vigil.

 

This comes a day after a youth, Azahar Ali, 23, had a face-off with an adult

Himalayan black bear at the zoo when he jumped into its enclosure, but was

rescued with only a scratched thigh. Azahar is now undergoing treatment at

the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.

 

" It is difficult to check the crowd with such unnatural behaviour, " Narayan

Mahanta, divisional forest officer of the zoo, told *The Telegraph* from

Bhubaneswar, where he is on an official visit.

 

Mahanta said the issue was being discussed with the Nandankanan zoo

authorities in Orissa. " Even at Nandankanan zoo the same problem persists

with no immediate solution in sight, " Mahanta added. He said it was

increasingly difficult to ascertain the nature or intentions of the people

when they come to the zoo.

 

Mahanta said visitors were expected to maintain decorum in the zoo. Several

signboards had already been put up at different points with the dos and

don'ts.

 

" We want the visitors to cooperate with us while discharging our duties, " he

added. He said some of the enclosures were huge and wide and it was

virtually impossible for the animal-keeper to keep tabs on the visitors.

 

After the December 19 incident in the zoo, when two tigers mauled a man to

death, the zoo authorities are on high alert keeping a close watch on the

visitors.

 

" It was because of the alert zoo staff yesterday that the person could be

saved, " another zoo official said. The zoo keepers' main duties include

cleaning the enclosures and feeding of the animals.

 

" The keepers must be excellent observers. They must learn the habits and

behaviours of the animals, " the zoo official said.

 

" The zoo keepers' interaction with visitors help increase public awareness

on the role of zoos in wildlife conservation. The keepers should be

knowledgeable about the animals in the zoo, their natural habitat and habits

and zoos in general, " the official said.

 

To meet the shortage of staff, the zoo has recruited casual staff to help

them take care of the other responsibilities.

 

 

--

United against elephant polo

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com