Endangered: A serow

Shillong, May 16: Endangered species housed in the zoo in Lady Hydari Park here will be shifted to Assam zoo after a recent Supreme Court order.

The chief conservator of forests, V.K. Nautiyal, said they have decided to shift the endangered species to Assam zoo.

“We will shift a pair of hoolock gibbons and a serow to Assam,” he said.

Animal lovers have complained that conditions at the zoo are far from ideal.

The People for Ethical Treatment to Animals (Peta) had sent a letter to the member secretary of the Central Zoo Authority on Wednesday, asking him to shut down the zoo.

Peta, in the letter, said the zoo does not have an official with a masters degree in wildlife science or zoology as a full-time curator.

There was neither a full-fledged veterinary facility nor a veterinarian in the zoo.

The organisation filed a query under the RTI Act and received information that the enclosures in the zoo are not designed to meet the biological requirements of the animals.

No screens were provided between the enclosures and there are no isolation and quarantine wards in the zoo for newly arrived and sick animals. Peta said the zoo had no post-mortem room and was overcrowded.

Nautiyal said efforts were on construct a state zoo in Ri Bhoi district.

Altogether 75 acres of land have been acquired in Ri Bhoi district and a Rs 8.36-crore masterplan is under preparation. The proposed zoo will be ready within two years.

Nautiyal admitted that there was a shortage of staff and other equipment at the zoo at present.

In 2007-2008, seven animals and birds were reported to have died.

The zoo also does not have a veterinary doctor. The zoo officials seek the services of doctors from the state veterinary department when there is an emergency.

At present, there are 35 species, including 57 birds and 24 animals, at the zoo in Lady Hydari park.

“We are committed to improve the zoo at Lady Hydari Park. Vandalism and other problems will also be tackled. We have already improved the area from where the visitors watch the animals and birds. Instructions have been also issued to the staff for the proper maintenance of enclosures,” Nautiyal added.