As part of the ongoing Wildlife Week celebrations, the Chhatbir Zoo organized a grand eco-awareness campaign Saturday under the banner “Ride for the Wild”. The event featured a cycle rally in collaboration with the Tricity-based cycling group, “Cyclegiri.” The cyclothon was flagged off at 6:00 am from Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan, Sohana traffic light point, and the cyclists reached Chhatbir Zoo by 6:40 am, where they were given a unique opportunity to ride inside the zoo premises. The initiative thrilled many participants, especially children, who enjoyed cycling amid the lush greenery and wildlife surroundings. The cyclists from across the Tricity participated in the campaign, spreading the message of wildlife protection and eco-friendly living. The event was led by Arun Kumar, field director, Chhatbir Zoo, along with zoo education officer Harpal Singh and the entire zoo team. They hosted an interactive awareness session on the importance of wildlife conservation. Highlighting this year’s National Wildlife Week theme, “Human-Wildlife Coexistence”, Arun Kumar said, “Chhatbir Zoo remains committed to promoting harmony between humans and nature. Such initiatives inspire the community to respect and protect wildlife.” Adding to the excitement, Nikita Rajput, one of the participants, caught everyone’s attention by decorating her cycle with creative "Save Wildlife" messages. From the Cyclegiri team, Dr Naina Bansal and Akshit conducted an engaging wildlife-themed quiz, drawing enthusiastic participation from cyclists and visitors alike. In another attraction of the day, a special Zoo Keeper’s Talk on elephants was organised for visitors. The session featured experienced mahouts and zoo staff, who shared fascinating insights about Maya and Hema, the resident elephants of Chhatbir Zoo. The visitors learned about their daily routines, habits, and behaviours, and expressed great interest in the talk. The zoo witnessed a footfall of over 1,700 visitors Saturday, many of whom displayed exemplary awareness and sensitivity towards animals. Field Director Arun Kumar appreciated the cooperation of visitors and said,“Team Chhatbir is fully prepared to welcome even larger crowds during Wildlife Week. All visitor amenities are being maintained with utmost care, and our staff remains vigilant towards both animal welfare and visitor safety.” The day’s events successfully blended education, recreation, and conservation awareness, making it a memorable celebration of Wildlife Week 2025.
