(PK) Pakistani Zoo to expand

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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C05%5C27%5Cstory_27-5-2008_p\

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*Expansion to start next month:* Marghazar Zoo to have new features

 

*By Imran Naeem Ahmad*

 

ISLAMABAD: With work on expansion of the Marghazar Zoo due to start next

month, officials said on Sunday that besides a string of exciting new

features the facility would have a modern hospital for treatment of ailing

animals.

 

Project Director Abdur Rashid told Daily Times that computerised ticketing

and public address systems would also be a part of the zoo's upgradation

that is expected to start in the second week of June.

 

" It will be one of the most attractive facilities in the country and work on

it would be completed in three years, " Rashid said. He added that the area

of the zoo would also be extended from its current 25 acres to 82 acres.

 

Raja Muhammad Javed, the Capital Development Authority's Director Zoo and

Wildlife, said that tenders for the Rs 20 million first phase of the project

had been invited while that for the second phase would be called in June.

 

He said the facility would be built according to standards laid down by the

World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

 

Officials said the first phase would comprise construction of pathways for

the public, animal enclosures, boundary and service roads. " The roads would

be for use by the zoo staff for feeding the animals and would not be visible

to the public, " Javed said.

 

The CDA had hired the services of Van Riet & Louw, a prominent name in

landscaping and zoo planning, besides engaging a local company who had

prepared its design.

 

Following the first phase that is to be completed in four months, the Rs 632

million second phase would have further animal enclosures being built along

with bird aviaries and wetlands.

 

Similarly, the third phase is to have facilities such as hospital,

restaurants, administrative block and the construction of a new entrance.

Officials said that once complete, the zoo would have five distinct areas -

mountains, plains, wetlands, desert and exotic species areas.

 

The zoo's expansion would also mean that the paramilitary Rangers camping

just outside the facility would have to move out for which it is understood

that permission has been obtained from relevant quarters.

 

The authorities also plan to acquire new animals mainly through exchange and

donations with 75 percent of the animals at the facility being local and 25

percent exotic. " We may also have to purchase some animals, " Javed said.

 

The Marghazar Zoo was set up in 1978 as a small facility, but has grown over

the years in size and animals. There were plans earlier on to relocate it

but those were shelved and it was decided to go for its expansion.

 

Although the zoo is without the star attractions like lions, tigers and

giraffes, it still draws big crowds, more so on weekends with people being

mainly attracted to the pair of elephants, leopards, monkeys and ostriches.

 

The zoo did have a lion but it died some years ago because of old age and

arthritis. The CDA now plans to procure an Asiatic lions, African rhinos,

giraffes, Asian and African elephants, Bengal tiger and black panthers among

several others.

 

The most recently acquired animals at the zoo have been zebras, spotted deer

and land tortoise. The population at the zoo has increased in recent weeks

with the birth of a host of baby animals that include black bucks, blue

bulls and urials.