Red meat has completely vanished from the menu of carnivores at Tata Steel Zoological Park. Lions, tigers, leopards, hyenas and crocodiles are being served lean meat or chicken instead of their usual buffalo platter.

A Tata zoo official said red meat was being procured from Odisha after ban on slaughtering in Jharkhand disrupted the regular supply chain. However, the Odisha slaughterhouse has stopped sending meat apparently because its licence has expired.

"Till its licence gets renewed, supply of meat will remain affected. We don't have a better option than chicken for carnivores," he added.

Following the crackdown on unauthorised abattoirs in the state in late March, Tata zoo had written to the government and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), seeking a way out of the predicament because red meat was nutritionally important for carnivores.

More recently, the zoo had sought permission from the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner to continue procurement of buffalo meat from neighbouring Odisha.

Deputy commissioner Amit Kumar said he had asked the Tata zoo management to ensure that the source of supply was genuine and licensed.

"Slaughtering is banned in Jharkhand, but we have no problem if the zoo sources meat from other states. Only, the supply channel needs to be licensed. We had sent a query, but the zoo authorities haven't replied," Kumar said.

Zoo director Bipul Chakravarty admitted that two local suppliers had been bringing buffalo meat for them from Odisha, but he did not comment on whether the source had a valid licence.

"Carnivores are having no problems. They are feasting on chicken. They are relishing it," Chakravarty maintained.

Zookeepers said 80kg of buffalo meat was required daily to feed five lions, five tigers, four leopards, three hyenas and seven crocodiles at the 37-hectare animal kingdom, which has 403 inmates in total.

Now, 100kg of chicken has replaced the daily red meat requirement, they said, adding that carnivores were initially hesitant to eat chicken, but were gradually getting used to it.

Independent veterinarian V.K. Singh contended that red meat had higher protein content than chicken.

"Carnivores can be fed chicken, but animals need to get accustomed to the diet. It is good if carnivores eat chicken sometimes, but health complications may arise if they shun the same. In the latter case, animals will become very weak. Carnivores are also accustomed to munching hard bones and soft meat may affect their teeth exercise," Singh said.

Inspector of Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ashok Kumar Dubey said Tata zoo could source buffalo meat from other states, besides Odisha. "The local ban (in Jharkhand) is a deterrent, but animals cannot be made to starve. The zoo just needs to find a licensed supplier," Dubey added.