(IN): Scientific enclosure envisaged for elephants at State Zoo

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Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=apr2208\City1*

 

Scientific enclosure envisaged for elephants at State Zoo

 

* By A City Correspondent

GUWAHATI, April 21 – With the requisite expertise and manpower at its

disposal, the State Zoo is toying with the idea of going for a scientific

elephant enclosure that would not only help in managing the tuskers in

captivity efficiently, but would also give the opportunity to the visitors

to get a better look at the majestic creature.

 

Revealing the plans for improvement of the State Zoo, DFO Narayan Mahanta

said that the idea of a scientific elephant enclosure at the State Zoo was

conceived long back, but was yet to get concrete shape. Mahanta said that

the outline of the elephant enclosure would be decided after deliberating on

views of experts at the North India Zoo Elephant Keepers Training sponsored

by the Central Zoo Authorities and organized by the State Zoo.

 

The week-long training of elephant keepers from 13 States and 18 zoos got

off today. The training would be focusing on upgrading the skill of the

elephant keepers with particular emphasis on practical demonstrations. The

resource persons are all from Assam and they include names like Dr KK Sarma

and Parvati Baruah.

 

" The State zoo has the required expertise to go for a scientific elephant

enclosure, " said Mahanta adding that the elephant keepers of the State Zoo

with their traditional knowledge and long years of experience had reached

the stage when their opinion is being sought by international parties also.

The elephant keepers of the State zoo had also shared their expertise with

Japan. It may be mentioned here that the State Zoo has eight elephant

keepers who have been managing the elephants with their traditional

knowledge.

 

Mahanta further said that enrichment of the elephant enclosure was important

besides the other factors like elephant bathing and their foot care,

recognition and management of most symptom in captive elephants, their diet,

medication, etc. " The elephant enclosure we are considering will have the

environment that will give the tuskers a feel of their natural habitat, "

said Mahanta.

 

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