Cobra dies without mate at Solapur zoo

[Guest guest]

Thank you Solapur Zoo for once again proving that Zoo's are rarely

meant to be a Best Educator! Zoos such action speaks louder than words!

 

Regards,

Nilesh Bhanage

Committee to monitor animal welfare laws in Maharashtra

(Appointed by Hon. the Bombay High Court)

 

 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Cobra-dies-without-mate-a

t-Solapur-zoo/articleshow/5665235.cms

 

Cobra dies without mate at Solapur zoo

 

Prafulla Marpakwar, TNN, Mar 10, 2010, 01.41am IST

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<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5665235.cms

<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5665235.cms> >

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MUMBAI: A 16-foot long King Cobra, which was gifted 'freedom' by the

Bombay high court had four days before Valentine's Day last month, has

died at the Mahatma Gandhi Zoo in Solapur. On Wednesday, when the PIL

filed by nature lover Gururaj Pore comes up for hearing, there will be a

shocking revelation before the high court-the cobra died allegedly owing

to dereliction of duty on part of the zoo administration.

 

" It is among the longest venomous snakes in the world and has a

reputation of killing a human being with a single bite. Adequate care

was not taken. It was kept in a small glass enclosure in pitiable

conditions, " Pore told TOI on Tuesday.

 

A month ago, the Bombay high court had asked the zoo administration to

quickly find a companion for the Cobra or release it in the wild. " Both

the zoo administration and the NGO, which had taken up the

responsibility of protecting the Cobra, have failed in their duty. As a

result, the rare Cobra died in captivity. There has been a blatant

violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, " Pore added.

 

The Cobra was rescued from a monk's custody in April 2007 by forest

officials. Instead of releasing it in the wild, they handed it over to

the zoo administration. " Solapur's weather was not suitable for it.

Owing to the tiny enclosure, the cobra could sustain spinal injuries, "

he added.

 

Pore alleged that proper food was not given to the Cobra. " The zoo

administration made lakhs of rupees from its Cobra exhibition in the

last two years. But it seems that there was dereliction of duty at all

levels, resulting in its death, " he said.

 

" The initial post-mortem report says it was not a natural death, as

several holes were found on its body. We are now awaiting the final

report. The HC should fix the responsibility for dereliction of duty. "