Byculla Zoo facilities satisfactory: CZA experts

The observations recorded by experts as part of report on the complaint enquiry stated that the cleaning of enclosures,feeding chambers and water troughs was done daily between 8 and 9 am. The enclosures were found to be maintained upto a satisfactory level. Sufficient quantity of portable water is available to the zoo and the animals are fed daily with carnivores being feed once and others twice,said the report. The quality and quantity of food is regularly inspected by zoo vets and the water pools are regularly cleaned and maintained,it stated.

Solid waste was found to be disposed off effectively and regularly and animal health care taken care of adequately by the two zoo vets and services from experts of Mumbai Veterinary College are utilised when required. The mortality rate of 12.10 per cent in 2010-2011 was found to be high as compared to average mortality rate in Indian zoos,but the experts said that post mortem reports showed deaths were mainly due to old age. However,they asked the zoo to strengthen the zoo hospital’s facilities and manpower and improve the quararntine facility,isolation ward and kitchen.

“The issues we raised and their observations are starkly different. We have evidence to support our findings,such as water in pools of rhino and hippo was dirty and that enclosures were unclean. The pools are unclean can be seen by the visitors also. Both reports cannot be true,” said Sunish Subramanian,founder and secretary of the NGO.