(IN) Giraffe death: Central Zoo Authority evades responsibility again

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Zoos wash hands of giraffe's death

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Poushali MitraPosted online: Friday , May 30, 2008 at 01:49:13

Updated: Friday , May 30, 2008 at 01:49:13

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Kolkata, May 29 Sundar is perhaps the first exotic animal to face death due

to electrocution on its journey from one zoo to another.

 

But after five days of this unfortunate incident, no one has been held

responsible for the death of giraffe, which was being transported from

Alipore Zoo to Nandankanan Zoo as part of the exchange programme. Sundar got

electrocuted as his neck, jutting out of his cage, touched electric wires on

Bombay High Road near Bagnan.

 

B R Sharma, the member secretary of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), told

The Indian Express: " Sundar is the first among the exotic animals to die due

to electrocution. Many a times death of animals occur on route as they are

not able to withstand the long hours of journey. But I have never heard any

exotic animal dying in this unfortunate manner. "

 

When asked why the CZA is not starting any inquiry against negligence on the

part of Alipore zoo or Nandankanan, Sharma said: " Exotic animals are beyond

the purview of the CZA. Hence, we cannot interfere in this case. Alipore or

Nandankanan can take over the case. "

 

Washing his hands off the responsibility, Nandankanan director A K Pattanaik

said: " Why is the question of inquiry coming up? It is a mere accident. No

one is to be blamed for it. " Severing all ties with the animal, a veterinary

officer of Alipore zoo said: " Sundar belonged to Nandankanan, not Alipore. "

 

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), an umbrella organisation

for world zoo and aquarium community, has laid down certain basic protocols

which are expected to be followed by any zoo authority while transporting an

exotic animal from one place to another.

 

One of the basic rules states the use of caged crates —- wooden box —- to

prevent any accident due to electric or cable wires. Also, before the

journey the zoo authorities were supposed to check the health of the animal

as per the WAZA protocol, which was not reportedly done in Sundar's case.