Journalism of Courage
Very soon,each and every information related to Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park,Katraj,will be available online. The website http://www.punezoo.gov.in will be launched on October 7 during the World Wildlife Week celebrations.
Besides Puneites,the zoo authorities look to reach out to those who are not city-based but desire to get information about the 130-acre facility through the website. Various schemes like animal adoption scheme and animal exchange programme are expected to get a boost. Anyone who wishes to adopt an animal can download the form from the website,fill it and get in touch with us, says Ashwini Shitole,zoo education officer.
The site will give details like veterinary services available,food given to animals,new inmates,educational activities and so on. We will also be uploading pictures and information about various types of animals that can be seen here; it will be beneficial for students, Shitole says.
A week-long wildlife week celebration will also see launch of the official logo of the zoo. The zoo had,in 2010,received around 30 entries for the same. The logo finalised early this year is designed by Paranje Jaiswal,a student of Symbiosis College of Design.
The zoo,located at Peshwe Park since 1953 when it was established,was shifted to Katraj in 1999 owing to space shortage. Initially,it was mainly a snake park but gradually we also started keeping various animals, Shitole says. And now,it is home to 362 animals 28 reptiles,20 mammal species and 17 birds.
