The PMC has so far managed to collect more than Rs 19 lakh from the animal and bird adoption scheme introduced at its Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park,popularly known as Katraj Zoo,three years ago. Started on the occasion of Dussehra on October 11,2010,the scheme has evoked good response from city residents and individuals from Sangli, Mumbai and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Zoo authorities said leopards,tigers,elephants,sloth bear,snakes,deers,iguanas,peacocks and owls were adopted by nature-lovers to mark occasions like death and birth anniversaries,birthdays and Friendship Day. Rajiv Patel,a lawyer,who was first to adopt a female leopard to commemorate the death anniversary of his father,adopted a male sloth bear on the third anniversary of the scheme,on Friday. It is gratifying to be a part of the adoption scheme. I feel becoming part of it is the most befitting tribute to the memories of my father, Patel said. Speaking with Newsline,zoo education officer Ashwini Shitole said it was heartening for zoo staff to see the public response. The scheme has been aimed at encouraging participation of citizens in the conservation of animals and birds kept at the zoo. It will help spread awareness about conservation of nature, she said. The scheme,within two months of its inauguration,received an overwhelming response with zoo authorities earning Rs 8,14,000 from adopters. In 2011 and 2012,PMC received Rs 3,63,000 and Rs 2,90,000,respectively. This year,the revenue figure has crossed Rs 4.4 lakh. Under the scheme,adoption charges vary between Rs 4,000 and Rs 45,000,depending on the animals and birds. Among other creatures,elephant has the highest adoption charges. Katraj zoo houses two elephants,and zoo authorities had to prepare a waiting list of individuals interested in adopting these large mammals. According to the zoo records,leopards were adopted for highest 18 times,followed by tigers with 17 times. The zoo has a pair of white tigers,who were adopted for a year as part of an initiative of the corporate world. Sloth bear,snakes and tortoise were adopted six times each,while deer,owl and peacocks were also preferred. The amount we charge includes expenditure towards feeding,among other care. Individuals adopting animals or birds receive a certificate,memento and a set of our publications. We credit adopters by putting the desired name near the enclosure made for the adopted creatures. We also invite them for the workshop we organise under the adoption scheme, Shitole said. Categorised as big zoo by the Central Zoo Authority,Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park is home to around 360 animals,28 reptiles,20 mammal species and 17 birds.
