Tiger deaths — Govt rules out poisoning, wrong medicines

He cited the recent cyclone as the reason for strain onthe animals, saying "despite all efforts by the veterinarians, the tigers could not be saved".

The calling attention motion had been moved by Suresh Pachouri (Cong) expressing concern over killing of tigers in the Orissa zoo and blamed the government for negligence.

In his statement, Baalu had held the zoo director and veterinarian responsible for the incident, saying "I have no reservation in admitting that the zoo director and the zoo veterinarian were unable to show the professional competence that was expected of them."

On the issue of release of insufficient funds, Baalu said budget for various programmes, including wildlife, Project Tiger, Project Elephant and Central Zoo Authority had been accorded increasing central allocation.

Members, cutting across party lines, voiced concern over large-scale death of tigers and other wildlife with TDP member C Ramachandraiah demanding moratorium on setting up of new zoos and creation of Indian Zoological Service to protect this fast dwindling national asset.

He said no new zoo should be set up in the country till the administration is streamlined and the zoological service started on the lines of Indian Forest Service to preserve the country’s wildlife.

Baalu said till a committee to go into the functioning of zoos gave its report within three months, no decision could be taken on the issue.

Quoting a recent UN Survey on wildlife, Ramachandriah said organised crime was on to eliminate wildlife in India and that tigers would become extinct within 10 years.