12,600 kg chicken, 5,200 kg mutton, 600 kg fish, 6,000 eggs: What Himachal Pradesh zoo needs to feed inmates

The vegetarian diet to be procured also includes 2,020 kg of mixed fruits and 5,000 bananas.

The herbivores at the two centres include Himalayan musk deer, barking deer, Himalayan tahr, and pheasants, including Himalayan monal, common pheasant, and Kalij pheasant. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

The Himachal Pradesh Forest and Wildlife Department is in the process of procuring 12,600 kg of chicken, 5,200 kg of goat meat, 600 kg of fish, 6,000 eggs, 2,050 kg of green vegetables, and tons of fodder, green and dry grass to feed the many carnivores and herbivores kept in its two animal centres – the Himalayan Nature Park Kufri Zoo and the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Tutikandi, Shimla. The vegetarian diet to be procured also includes 2,020 kg of mixed fruits and 5,000 bananas.

There are 21 leopards, one snow leopard, six black bears, three brown bears and many other animals and birds, including the Himalayan monal, in the two facilities. Of the 21 leopards, 17 are kept at the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, while four leopards and one snow leopard are housed at the nature park in Kufri. “The demand for chicken and goat meat has increased this time because the number of rescued animals at the Tutikandi centre has gone up this year. Last year there were only 12 rescued leopards at the centre, but now there are 17. They are injured and we cannot release them into the wild in the near future. Similarly, there are two leopards and as many leopardesses at the Himalayan Nature Park Kufri, which is a mini zoo. We floated tenders for the diet of animals. A contract will be allotted on July 19 after selecting a firm,” said Shahnawaz Ahmed Bhat, DFO (Wildlife), Shimla.

Though chicken, goat meat, fish, and eggs will be supplied to the park and the centre on a daily basis throughout 2024-25, the fodder will be brought in bulk. Sources said, “Adequate precautions are taken while procuring the meat. First, the meat is certified by the government veterinary doctors at the slaughterhouse from where it is procured. After that, the authorities put the meat to veterinary test at the mini zoo and the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre and it should be given a clean bill of health by the veterinarians.”

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The herbivores at the two centres include Himalayan musk deer, barking deer, Himalayan tahr, and pheasants, including Himalayan monal, common pheasant, and Kalij pheasant.

A wildlife officer said, “A leopard usually eats 5-6 kg of meat every day. The animal’s dietary chart changes from chicken to goat meat every three days. Meanwhile, 1 kg of fish is given to each bear on alternate days. The old contract to supply the feed, both non-veg and veg, to the two facilities will end by this month-end. We floated the tender last month. The process is going on. We will select the supplier on July 19.”

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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