(IN) Elephants to be banned from all zoos and circuses

[Guest guest]

In a move welcomed by all animal welfare people, the elephant will no

longer languish in zoos and be ill-treated and tortured in circuses in

India. We must now focus our efforts on getting them out of temples and

" religious " (irreligious?) places. Maybe, the years spent by the

undersigned, Mrs. Norma Alvares and a few genuine animal welfare people

serving as members of the High Powered Committee on Performing Animals

between 2005 and 2008 has not been in vain!

 

S. Chinny Krishna

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Elephants-to

-be-banished-from-all-zoos/articleshow/5221159.cms

 

 

 

NEW DELHI: Delhi Zoo will soon be bidding farewell to its three elephants.

In fact, elephants will no longer be seen in any zoo or circus in the

 

country after the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) issued a notice on Monday to

the effect that all of these animals in zoos, numbering about 140, should be

sent to national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves as soon as possible.

 

According to sources, the circular states that a zoo environment is not the

best place for the large animals and they should be shifted to national

parks with immediate effect. " CZA's order is binding on all zoos. Elephants

are large animals and require a large area to move about freely. The

environment of a zoo can be very restrictive. The animals have great use for

departmental work, eco-tourism, patrolling etc and a decision has been taken

to send them to national parks and tiger reserves where they can be under

the supervision of mahauts, " said A N Prasad, director, Project Elephant.

 

According to Dr B K Gupta, evaluation and monitoring officer of CZA, India

had 140 elephants in 26 zoos and 16 circuses as on March 31 2009. " Of these,

Mysore and Trivandrum have the largest number at 9 and 8 respectively.

 

Delhi and Mysore are the only two zoos that have African elephants. The

decision was taken after evaluating conditions of elephants at various zoos

and circuses. We found that circuses specially were not following standards

set under the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992, " he said.

 

Delhi Zoo director D N Singh confirmed that they had received the order

though he restrained from elaborating on it. Sources said that Delhi Zoo's

resident Asiatic pachyderms, Rajlakshmi and Hira, and its sole African

member Shankar would be moved to Jim Corbett National Park sometime soon.

Shankar had been gifted to former president Shankar Dayal Sharma by the

Zimbabwian government.

 

Sources explained that the various zoos would carry out this order in

consultation with the chief wildlife wardens of their specific states and

the CZA.

 

Environmentalists saw this as a positive move though some had reservations

on the shifting of all elephants as that would be contrary to the principal

of ex-situ conservation. " There is merit in this decision. It is best for

them to be as close to their natural habitat as possible. Elephants needs a

lot of space to exercise and move about in and they are being deprived that

space in zoos and circuses, " said Samir Sinha, head of traffic, WWF India

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Krishna,

Everyone involved in this decision making process

has to be congratulated on this progressive step. However, this is only the

beginning and we should make sure the tragedy of the elephant transfer from

Bengal to Japan is not repeated. We must also ensure the pachyderms are well

treated in the places they are sent to, there are some issues with Forest

Department safari elephants I am uncomfortable with.

I am also not sure Corbett is the right place for Shankar, the Delhi Zoo

African Elephant. It is my personal opinion that he would be happier in

Mysore Zoo with conspecifics. I have spent hours watching and filming him

and I well and truly believe the right place for him is Mysore Zoo rather

than Corbett. Comments and opinions invited.

Best wishes,

 

 

 

 

On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM, <drkrishna wrote:

 

>

>

> In a move welcomed by all animal welfare people, the elephant will no

> longer languish in zoos and be ill-treated and tortured in circuses in

> India. We must now focus our efforts on getting them out of temples and

> " religious " (irreligious?) places. Maybe, the years spent by the

> undersigned, Mrs. Norma Alvares and a few genuine animal welfare people

> serving as members of the High Powered Committee on Performing Animals

> between 2005 and 2008 has not been in vain!

>

> S. Chinny Krishna

>

>

> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Elephants-to

> -be-banished-from-all-zoos/articleshow/5221159.cms

>

> NEW DELHI: Delhi Zoo will soon be bidding farewell to its three elephants.

> In fact, elephants will no longer be seen in any zoo or circus in the

>

> country after the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) issued a notice on Monday to

> the effect that all of these animals in zoos, numbering about 140, should

> be

> sent to national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves as soon as possible.

>

> According to sources, the circular states that a zoo environment is not the

> best place for the large animals and they should be shifted to national

> parks with immediate effect. " CZA's order is binding on all zoos. Elephants

> are large animals and require a large area to move about freely. The

> environment of a zoo can be very restrictive. The animals have great use

> for

> departmental work, eco-tourism, patrolling etc and a decision has been

> taken

> to send them to national parks and tiger reserves where they can be under

> the supervision of mahauts, " said A N Prasad, director, Project Elephant.

>

> According to Dr B K Gupta, evaluation and monitoring officer of CZA, India

> had 140 elephants in 26 zoos and 16 circuses as on March 31 2009. " Of

> these,

> Mysore and Trivandrum have the largest number at 9 and 8 respectively.

>

> Delhi and Mysore are the only two zoos that have African elephants. The

> decision was taken after evaluating conditions of elephants at various zoos

> and circuses. We found that circuses specially were not following standards

> set under the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992, " he said.

>

> Delhi Zoo director D N Singh confirmed that they had received the order

> though he restrained from elaborating on it. Sources said that Delhi Zoo's

> resident Asiatic pachyderms, Rajlakshmi and Hira, and its sole African

> member Shankar would be moved to Jim Corbett National Park sometime soon.

> Shankar had been gifted to former president Shankar Dayal Sharma by the

> Zimbabwian government.

>

> Sources explained that the various zoos would carry out this order in

> consultation with the chief wildlife wardens of their specific states and

> the CZA.

>

> Environmentalists saw this as a positive move though some had reservations

> on the shifting of all elephants as that would be contrary to the principal

> of ex-situ conservation. " There is merit in this decision. It is best for

> them to be as close to their natural habitat as possible. Elephants needs a

> lot of space to exercise and move about in and they are being deprived that

> space in zoos and circuses, " said Samir Sinha, head of traffic, WWF India

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

 

Let us face it - this is not an ideal solution. The principle of not

allowing elephants in zoos and circuses, however, is something we have

fought for. Elephants belong in the jungle - not in temples, zoos or

circuses. When the ban on tigers, leopards, lions, bears and monkeys came

in eight years ago, elephants were left out becauses of the large number

of these magnificent animals chained and kept in temples. With this ban,

one more hurdle to a ban on temple elephant seems achievable in the near

future.

 

Regards

 

S. Chinny Krishna

 

 

> Dear Dr Krishna,

> Everyone involved in this decision making process

> has to be congratulated on this progressive step. However, this is only

> the

> beginning and we should make sure the tragedy of the elephant transfer

> from

> Bengal to Japan is not repeated. We must also ensure the pachyderms are

> well

> treated in the places they are sent to, there are some issues with Forest

> Department safari elephants I am uncomfortable with.

> I am also not sure Corbett is the right place for Shankar, the Delhi Zoo

> African Elephant. It is my personal opinion that he would be happier in

> Mysore Zoo with conspecifics. I have spent hours watching and filming him

> and I well and truly believe the right place for him is Mysore Zoo rather

> than Corbett. Comments and opinions invited.

> Best wishes,

>

>

>

>

>

> On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM, <drkrishna wrote:

>

>>

>>

>> In a move welcomed by all animal welfare people, the elephant will no

>> longer languish in zoos and be ill-treated and tortured in circuses in

>> India. We must now focus our efforts on getting them out of temples and

>> " religious " (irreligious?) places. Maybe, the years spent by the

>> undersigned, Mrs. Norma Alvares and a few genuine animal welfare people

>> serving as members of the High Powered Committee on Performing Animals

>> between 2005 and 2008 has not been in vain!

>>

>> S. Chinny Krishna

>>

>>

>> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Elephants-to

>> -be-banished-from-all-zoos/articleshow/5221159.cms

>>

>> NEW DELHI: Delhi Zoo will soon be bidding farewell to its three

>> elephants.

>> In fact, elephants will no longer be seen in any zoo or circus in the

>>

>> country after the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) issued a notice on Monday

>> to

>> the effect that all of these animals in zoos, numbering about 140,

>> should

>> be

>> sent to national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves as soon as

>> possible.

>>

>> According to sources, the circular states that a zoo environment is not

>> the

>> best place for the large animals and they should be shifted to national

>> parks with immediate effect. " CZA's order is binding on all zoos.

>> Elephants

>> are large animals and require a large area to move about freely. The

>> environment of a zoo can be very restrictive. The animals have great use

>> for

>> departmental work, eco-tourism, patrolling etc and a decision has been

>> taken

>> to send them to national parks and tiger reserves where they can be

>> under

>> the supervision of mahauts, " said A N Prasad, director, Project

>> Elephant.

>>

>> According to Dr B K Gupta, evaluation and monitoring officer of CZA,

>> India

>> had 140 elephants in 26 zoos and 16 circuses as on March 31 2009. " Of

>> these,

>> Mysore and Trivandrum have the largest number at 9 and 8 respectively.

>>

>> Delhi and Mysore are the only two zoos that have African elephants. The

>> decision was taken after evaluating conditions of elephants at various

>> zoos

>> and circuses. We found that circuses specially were not following

>> standards

>> set under the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992, " he said.

>>

>> Delhi Zoo director D N Singh confirmed that they had received the order

>> though he restrained from elaborating on it. Sources said that Delhi

>> Zoo's

>> resident Asiatic pachyderms, Rajlakshmi and Hira, and its sole African

>> member Shankar would be moved to Jim Corbett National Park sometime

>> soon.

>> Shankar had been gifted to former president Shankar Dayal Sharma by the

>> Zimbabwian government.

>>

>> Sources explained that the various zoos would carry out this order in

>> consultation with the chief wildlife wardens of their specific states

>> and

>> the CZA.

>>

>> Environmentalists saw this as a positive move though some had

>> reservations

>> on the shifting of all elephants as that would be contrary to the

>> principal

>> of ex-situ conservation. " There is merit in this decision. It is best for

>> them to be as close to their natural habitat as possible. Elephants

>> needs a

>> lot of space to exercise and move about in and they are being deprived

>> that

>> space in zoos and circuses, " said Samir Sinha, head of traffic, WWF

>> India

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Yes! the condition of elephants in circuses and captivity with individuals(used

for Begging or in Marriages/procession ) is very bad. Then comes Zoos.Since the

elephants are very senstive and emotional, will the elephants of Zoo acclimatise

the new environment? Since elephants have also developed bonding with its

mahaouts and keepers in the Zoo, will the elephants which are in  different

Social  group adjust with others?

Chatt Bir Zoo near Chandigarh has six elephants including acalf of about two and

half year.

 

I totally agree  with subhobroto's view point that african elephants should not

be mixed with Asiatic.The Chatt bir Zoo in Punjab has faced the brunt as its

Asiatic Lions came in contact with Africans  and the hybrids have contracted

some disease (may be due to inbreeding)as aresult of that almost all the Lion

family is facing health problems.

It will be wise to keep them in open area in some Zoo.

 

Dr.Sandeep K.Jain

Member,Punjab State Board for Wildlife

 

--- On Fri, 13/11/09, drkrishna <drkrishna wrote:

 

 

drkrishna <drkrishna

Re: (IN) Elephants to be banned from all zoos and circuses

aapn

Friday, 13 November, 2009, 2:16 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear ,

 

Let us face it - this is not an ideal solution. The principle of not

allowing elephants in zoos and circuses, however, is something we have

fought for. Elephants belong in the jungle - not in temples, zoos or

circuses. When the ban on tigers, leopards, lions, bears and monkeys came

in eight years ago, elephants were left out becauses of the large number

of these magnificent animals chained and kept in temples. With this ban,

one more hurdle to a ban on temple elephant seems achievable in the near

future.

 

Regards

 

S. Chinny Krishna

 

> Dear Dr Krishna,

> Everyone involved in this decision making process

> has to be congratulated on this progressive step. However, this is only

> the

> beginning and we should make sure the tragedy of the elephant transfer

> from

> Bengal to Japan is not repeated. We must also ensure the pachyderms are

> well

> treated in the places they are sent to, there are some issues with Forest

> Department safari elephants I am uncomfortable with.

> I am also not sure Corbett is the right place for Shankar, the Delhi Zoo

> African Elephant. It is my personal opinion that he would be happier in

> Mysore Zoo with conspecifics. I have spent hours watching and filming him

> and I well and truly believe the right place for him is Mysore Zoo rather

> than Corbett. Comments and opinions invited.

> Best wishes,

>

>

>

>

>

> On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM, <drkrishna (AT) aspick (DOT) com> wrote:

>

>>

>>

>> In a move welcomed by all animal welfare people, the elephant will no

>> longer languish in zoos and be ill-treated and tortured in circuses in

>> India. We must now focus our efforts on getting them out of temples and

>> " religious " (irreligious? ) places. Maybe, the years spent by the

>> undersigned, Mrs. Norma Alvares and a few genuine animal welfare people

>> serving as members of the High Powered Committee on Performing Animals

>> between 2005 and 2008 has not been in vain!

>>

>> S. Chinny Krishna

>>

>>

>> http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/home/ environment/ flora-fauna/

Elephants- to

>> -be-banished- from-all- zoos/articleshow /5221159. cms

>>

>> NEW DELHI: Delhi Zoo will soon be bidding farewell to its three

>> elephants.

>> In fact, elephants will no longer be seen in any zoo or circus in the

>>

>> country after the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) issued a notice on Monday

>> to

>> the effect that all of these animals in zoos, numbering about 140,

>> should

>> be

>> sent to national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves as soon as

>> possible.

>>

>> According to sources, the circular states that a zoo environment is not

>> the

>> best place for the large animals and they should be shifted to national

>> parks with immediate effect. " CZA's order is binding on all zoos.

>> Elephants

>> are large animals and require a large area to move about freely. The

>> environment of a zoo can be very restrictive. The animals have great use

>> for

>> departmental work, eco-tourism, patrolling etc and a decision has been

>> taken

>> to send them to national parks and tiger reserves where they can be

>> under

>> the supervision of mahauts, " said A N Prasad, director, Project

>> Elephant.

>>

>> According to Dr B K Gupta, evaluation and monitoring officer of CZA,

>> India

>> had 140 elephants in 26 zoos and 16 circuses as on March 31 2009. " Of

>> these,

>> Mysore and Trivandrum have the largest number at 9 and 8 respectively.

>>

>> Delhi and Mysore are the only two zoos that have African elephants. The

>> decision was taken after evaluating conditions of elephants at various

>> zoos

>> and circuses. We found that circuses specially were not following

>> standards

>> set under the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992, " he said.

>>

>> Delhi Zoo director D N Singh confirmed that they had received the order

>> though he restrained from elaborating on it. Sources said that Delhi

>> Zoo's

>> resident Asiatic pachyderms, Rajlakshmi and Hira, and its sole African

>> member Shankar would be moved to Jim Corbett National Park sometime

>> soon.

>> Shankar had been gifted to former president Shankar Dayal Sharma by the

>> Zimbabwian government.

>>

>> Sources explained that the various zoos would carry out this order in

>> consultation with the chief wildlife wardens of their specific states

>> and

>> the CZA.

>>

>> Environmentalists saw this as a positive move though some had

>> reservations

>> on the shifting of all elephants as that would be contrary to the

>> principal

>> of ex-situ conservation. " There is merit in this decision. It is best for

>> them to be as close to their natural habitat as possible. Elephants

>> needs a

>> lot of space to exercise and move about in and they are being deprived

>> that

>> space in zoos and circuses, " said Samir Sinha, head of traffic, WWF

>> India

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Jain and Dr Krishna,

Thank you for expressing your

views. Please allow me to clarify myself.

First of all, let me state categorically that this is a positive step for

all elephants in captivity in zoos and circuses everywhere, in India and the

rest of the world. As Dr Krishna has rightly pointed out, elephants do not

belong in zoos and circuses, and if they are moved to national parks and

sanctuaries from zoos and circuses they will be closer to their natural

habitat. And I am also in concurrence with Dr Krishna when he says that this

step is going to assist the move to prevent elephants from being kept in

captivity in temples.

However, please note that in captivity African Elephants and Asiatic

Elephants can and have had mutually beneficial relationships. They have also

bred once and the world's first known hybrid elephant called Motty was born

in Chester Zoo in England. I have the record and also two pictures of Motty

that I am more than happy to share. Now Shankar's case in Delhi. I have

watched him for the past nine years and he is without a shadow of doubt, my

favourite animal in Delhi Zoo. He was in a large enclosure(now empty) with

his mate who died and he was subsequently moved to the present enclosure

with Asian Elephants. As I said, he should ideally have gone to Mysore Zoo

that has three African elephants and this was recommended in my zoo survey

but as he was a diplomatic gift, Delhi Zoo did not want to part with him. He

was kept chained most of the time and last month a biologist friend of mine

from UK visited the zoo with me and she discussed Shankar's fate with the

zoo director and was exploring other official venues to question his

chaining. But last week I was in Delhi Zoo and I saw Shankar and he was

unchained and in the company of an Asian Elephant. It is quite possible, and

I am quite prepared to believe that he might have bonded with his Asian

cousin, although I am not sure if this has happened and to what extent. But

as I said, African and Asian Elephants can have satisfactory bonds in

captivity and this gives rise to a tricky situation for the individual

animals concerned.

Lions in Chaatbir Zoo. There is no evidence that hybridisation was the

reason behind those animals getting ill. The lion situation is a bit

different from the elephant situation. I was approached by WSPA to give my

views on those lions and I was not convinced that they had become sick due

to hybridisation because the purity of species and purity of races concept

is quite similar to the Neo Nazi racist propaganda of preservation of purity

of genes. I talked about this with a scientist/geneticist of Wildlife

Institute of India last month after attending their Annual Research Seminar

and he told me that hybridisation of African and Asian lions is an option to

save the lions in Gir since they are genetically crippled although they are

apparently pure. I will post Nicky Xavier's paper separately for your

perusal. HYBRIDISATION CAN ACTUALLY STRENGTHEN ANIMALS DUE TO HYBRID VIGOUR

AND IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING. And scientific opinion is split on the

preservation of pure genes. Hybridisation also occurs naturally in the wild.

With the possible exception of some isolated tribes in very remote areas,

all human beings are hybrid and and I know of no study that would say that

mixed race people are less healthy than pure races.

I see the Chandigarh Zoo lion case and the Delhi Zoo relationship of

African and Asian Elephants differently. Since there is an option of giving

Shankar the company of his brethren in Mysore, it is one worth exploring.

But if that is not possible, then I see two options : he stays in Delhi or

goes to Corbett. Leaving him in Delhi is ambiguous ethically. Should he stay

with an Asian companion who would be better off in Corbett? I do not claim

to know the answer but I appreciate Dr Krishna saying that this is not an

ideal situation.

Overall, this move is a good move from every perspective and I applaud it

as such. Dr Krishna and Norma Alvares have pursued this cause for years and

deserve kudos for this achievement regardless of what may happen to Shankar.

Very sadly, Shankar is likely to suffer as an African Elephant for being a

different species for no fault of his, but we can all pray that his

suffering will be the last of his kind in India and his Asian cousins will

never have to face chaining in zoos, circuses and temples. In fact, I have

been asked to give my opinion on this move by an elephant expert and I am

likely to repeat the statement I am making here.

If you deem anything else that is important for sharing, please do.

Best wishes,

 

On 11/13/09, Dr.Sandeep Kumar Jain <jeevdaya04 wrote:

>

> Yes! the condition of elephants in circuses and captivity with

> individuals(used for Begging or in Marriages/procession ) is very bad.Then

> comes Zoos.Since the elephants are very senstive and emotional,will the

> elephants of Zoo acclimatise the new environment ? Since elephants have also

> developed bonding with its mahaouts and keepers in the Zoo,will the

> elephants which are in different Social group adjust with others?

> Chatt Bir Zoo near Chandigarh has six elephants including acalf of about

> two and half year.

>

> I totally agree with subhobroto's view point that african elephants should

> not be mixed with Asiatic.The Chatt bir Zoo in Punjab has faced the brunt as

> its Asiatic Lions came in contact with Africans and the hybrids have

> contracted some disease (may be due to inbreeding)as aresult of that almost

> all the Lion family is facing health problems.

> It will be wise to keep them in open area in some Zoo.

>

> *Dr.Sandeep K.Jain*

> *Member,Punjab State Board for Wildlife

>

> *--- On *Fri, 13/11/09, drkrishna <drkrishna*wrote:

>

>

>

> drkrishna <drkrishna

> Re: (IN) Elephants to be banned from all zoos and circuses

> aapn

> Friday, 13 November, 2009, 2:16 PM

>

>

> Dear ,

>

> Let us face it - this is not an ideal solution. The principle of not

> allowing elephants in zoos and circuses, however, is something we have

> fought for. Elephants belong in the jungle - not in temples, zoos or

> circuses. When the ban on tigers, leopards, lions, bears and monkeys came

> in eight years ago, elephants were left out becauses of the large number

> of these magnificent animals chained and kept in temples. With this ban,

>

> one more hurdle to a ban on temple elephant seems achievable in the near

> future.

>

> Regards

>

> S. Chinny Krishna

>

> > Dear Dr Krishna,

> > Everyone involved in this decision making process

> > has to be congratulated on this progressive step. However, this is only

> > the

> > beginning and we should make sure the tragedy of the elephant transfer

> > from

> > Bengal to Japan is not repeated. We must also ensure the pachyderms are

> > well

> > treated in the places they are sent to, there are some issues with Forest

> > Department safari elephants I am uncomfortable with.

> > I am also not sure Corbett is the right place for Shankar, the Delhi Zoo

> > African Elephant. It is my personal opinion that he would be happier in

> > Mysore Zoo with conspecifics. I have spent hours watching and filming him

> > and I well and truly believe the right place for him is Mysore Zoo rather

> > than Corbett. Comments and opinions invited.

> > Best wishes,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 10:56 AM, <drkrishna (AT) aspick (DOT)

com<http://in.mc946.mail./mc/compose?to=drkrishna%40aspick.com>>

> wrote:

> >

> >>

> >>

> >> In a move welcomed by all animal welfare people, the elephant will no

> >> longer languish in zoos and be ill-treated and tortured in circuses in

> >> India. We must now focus our efforts on getting them out of temples and

> >> " religious " (irreligious? ) places. Maybe, the years spent by the

> >> undersigned, Mrs. Norma Alvares and a few genuine animal welfare people

> >> serving as members of the High Powered Committee on Performing Animals

> >> between 2005 and 2008 has not been in vain!

> >>

> >> S. Chinny Krishna

> >>

> >>

> >> http://timesofindia .indiatimes. com/home/ environment/ flora-fauna/

> Elephants-

to<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Elephants-to>

> >> -be-banished- from-all- zoos/articleshow /5221159. cms

> >>

> >> NEW DELHI: Delhi Zoo will soon be bidding farewell to its three

> >> elephants.

> >> In fact, elephants will no longer be seen in any zoo or circus in the

> >>

> >> country after the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) issued a notice on Monday

> >> to

> >> the effect that all of these animals in zoos, numbering about 140,

> >> should

> >> be

> >> sent to national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves as soon as

> >> possible.

> >>

> >> According to sources, the circular states that a zoo environment is not

> >> the

> >> best place for the large animals and they should be shifted to national

> >> parks with immediate effect. " CZA's order is binding on all zoos.

> >> Elephants

> >> are large animals and require a large area to move about freely. The

> >> environment of a zoo can be very restrictive. The animals have great use

> >> for

> >> departmental work, eco-tourism, patrolling etc and a decision has been

> >> taken

> >> to send them to national parks and tiger reserves where they can be

> >> under

> >> the supervision of mahauts, " said A N Prasad, director, Project

> >> Elephant.

> >>

> >> According to Dr B K Gupta, evaluation and monitoring officer of CZA,

> >> India

> >> had 140 elephants in 26 zoos and 16 circuses as on March 31 2009. " Of

> >> these,

> >> Mysore and Trivandrum have the largest number at 9 and 8 respectively.

> >>

> >> Delhi and Mysore are the only two zoos that have African elephants. The

> >> decision was taken after evaluating conditions of elephants at various

> >> zoos

> >> and circuses. We found that circuses specially were not following

> >> standards

> >> set under the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992, " he said.

> >>

> >> Delhi Zoo director D N Singh confirmed that they had received the order

> >> though he restrained from elaborating on it. Sources said that Delhi

> >> Zoo's

> >> resident Asiatic pachyderms, Rajlakshmi and Hira, and its sole African

> >> member Shankar would be moved to Jim Corbett National Park sometime

> >> soon.

> >> Shankar had been gifted to former president Shankar Dayal Sharma by the

> >> Zimbabwian government.

> >>

> >> Sources explained that the various zoos would carry out this order in

> >> consultation with the chief wildlife wardens of their specific states

> >> and

> >> the CZA.

> >>

> >> Environmentalists saw this as a positive move though some had

> >> reservations

> >> on the shifting of all elephants as that would be contrary to the

> >> principal

> >> of ex-situ conservation. " There is merit in this decision. It is best

> for

> >> them to be as close to their natural habitat as possible. Elephants

> >> needs a

> >> lot of space to exercise and move about in and they are being deprived

> >> that

> >> space in zoos and circuses, " said Samir Sinha, head of traffic, WWF

> >> India

[Guest guest]

Thanks !

The main Cause may be inbreeding ,without any change .The breeding should be

done under the Guidance of Geneticist/Biologist and stud records need to be

made.

 

But for the purposes of CZA hybrids are not of much use in display areas as they

donot present the true Pictures of a species /subspecies.

I also agree there is some thing better than nothig.The main concern should be

welfare of Animals.

Regards

 

Dr.Sandeep K.Jain

 

--- On Fri, 13/11/09, wrote:

 

 

 

Re: (IN) Elephants to be banned from all zoos and circuses

" Dr.Sandeep Kumar Jain " <jeevdaya04

Cc: drkrishna, aapn

Friday, 13 November, 2009, 11:01 PM