A view for a zoo

The study,done by Dr Yuvraj Kaginkar,hospital manager of the Bombay Society for Prevention against Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA),explores the possibility of the country’s zoos to:

— provide facilities for social gatherings,recreation and interactive learning for visitors with a focus on zoo event planning.

— Provide onsite workshop for zoo staff that enhances efficiency,productivity and collaboration.

— Promote zoo events at international,national,and regional associations and their constituents.

— Promote environmental education,wildlife conservation and environmental research,through zoo management.

— Promote and use the highest standards of animal welfare and husbandry

— Assist in representing zoological gardens in other international organizations or assemblies.

According to Dr Hoshi Bhiwandiwalla,dean and director of NIEM,Kaginkar was a student of NIEM last year and came up with the novel idea of writing a thesis on event management in zoo. It was judged by a four-member board. We found Kaginkar’s papers to be the most innovative and do-able. The concept of bringing events to zoos is unique in India – it will be a boost to tourisms and will promote cleaner,posher and better zoos across the country. Kaginkar can easily help the government to implement it.”

Kaginkar states that the basis of the programmes involves two key ideals that Indian zoos often miss: keeping the visitors entertained and the animals in good health.

“The whole idea is to provide varied themes,facilities and edutainment opportunities for visitors,so that they are entertained by the experience and learn more about wildlife each time. For this,zoos should have a daily agenda of different theme walks and talks.” Kaginkar give examples of interesting themes: an introduction to cubs and young ones or newly acquired animals,reptiles,or just a certain group of animals like hoofed animals,carnivores etc. “If there are increased awareness programmes and training sessions,the visitors will also show more concern about animals.”

For the animals’ psychological and physiological health,Kaginkar recommends enrichment games – like hiding the animals’ food,and changing positions of props within the enclosure.

He says,“For all this,the most important thing is to identify an event,plan it and market it well. All that is an ‘event manager’ post with a hands-on officer who can deal with the public,the staff,in-house doctors and the animals.