Byculla Zoo’s Rs 150-cr makeover to keep visitors’ comfort in mind

Zoo authorities had planned to bring in exotic animals,such as Humboldt penguins,jaguars,African herbivores such as zebras and springbok,which is an antelope-gazelle found in Southwestern Africa.

The revamped zoo will be more friendly towards the animals as well. The new enclosures will be bigger and have vegetation that will be similar to their natural habitat. The Humboldt penguin,an exotic animal approved by the CZA for the zoo,will have a small pond in an enclosed glass enclosure,whose temperature will be maintained at 20 degree Celsius. If the zoo manages to get the penguin,it will be the first zoo in the country to have one. The authorities have written to international zoos,including those in Singapore,London and Frankfurt and are awaiting replies.

Two pairs of tigers,which the authorities hope to procure from other Indian zoos,will have 1000-square metre enclosures each.

Meanwhile,internal roads in the zoo are being converted into asphalt ones to boost the plan for battery-operated vehicles. Zoo authorities said the enclosures were planned to facilitate easy access for the vehicles. “Such a facility will especially help senior citizens,physically-challenged visitors and those people with young children,” said Anjankar.

The public amenities at the zoo will also get an upgrade. Additional toilets and water kiosks will be set up,apart from a souvenir shop at the park. “We plan to have both Indian-and western-style toilets and we will ensure that they are maintained well. There will be ‘airport-quality’ toilets at the zoo” added Anjankar.

Keeping education in mind,the zoo will also feature an interpretation centre,an auditorium where children can watch movies and documentaries on wildlife conservation,attend lectures by wildlife experts and participate in competitions. The centre will have a seating capacity of 200 and is under construction. The centre will be ready in a year,said zoo officials.

In Numbers

Visitors per year

15 lakh

Animals at the zoo

522

Mammals 135

Reptiles 32

Birds 355

Present area: Around 53 acres

Area after modernisation: 60 acres

An additional seven acres will be from the adjoining Mafatlal Mill area

ANJALI LUKOSE

anjali.lukose@expressindia.com