Sloth bear released from Chhatbir Zoo

CHANDIGARH, Feb 25: After two years of captivity, the Himalayan sloth bear was released today from the Chhatbir Zoo in compliance with a court order. Before being handed over to the owners in the presence of the counsel, the bear was tranquillised, for which the zoo authorities charged Rs 1,142 as per the court direction.

The zoo authorities have, meanwhile written to the UT Administration demanding feeding expenditure of Rs 35 per day incurred during the bear8217;s stay in the cage. The bear was kept in isolation. The UT Judicial Magistrate Ist class, Paramvir Nijjar, while issuing the release warrants of the bear on February 18, had directed that the animal be returned to the applicants after they furnished the sapurdarinama of Rs 20,000 with surety of a like amount.