Ranibaug zoo organises exclusive tour for differently-abled

Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr Abhishek Satam, a biologist at the zoo said, “Normally, the zoo is shut to the public on Wednesday for maintenance works. In order to maximise their comfort and ensure that the differently abled get proper attention, this tour was organised today.”

Satam added, “While normally animals are not present in their exhibits on Wednesday, the participants were taken on a walk across the zoo. They interacted with the flora and fauna of the zoo, the bird exhibits, reptile section as well as heritage structures which are situated within the premises. Since this was the pilot tour, the walks were short and about an hour long.”

To cater to the needs of participants with hearing impairments, the tour appointed sign language experts. Project Mumbai, who organised the walk, told Express: “The participants, most of whom were children, arrived with their parents and guardians. The zoo officials guided us during the tour who tended to the questions of the inquisitive participants.”

According to senior zoo officials, while this was a pilot initiative, the civic body may consider making the exclusive tour for the differently abled a regular feature at the zoo, depending on the responses to the Wednesday walk.