1ACZA

CZACZA

A Quarterly newsletter of the Central Zoo Authority March 2012 (Volume 1 Issue 1)

Central Zoo AuthoritydsUnzh; fpfM+;k?kj izkf/kdj.k

ex-situupdates

2

Partner Institutions

Editorial BoardChief Patron Jayanthi Natarajan Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Environment & Forests & Chairperson, CZA Government of India

Chief Advisor Jagdish Kishwan Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife), Ministry of Environment and Forests Government of India

Editor in Chief B.S Bonal Member Secretary, CZA

Editorial Technical Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta Evaluation & Monitoring Officer,CZA

Editorial Coordinator Dr. Naim Akhtar ScientificOfficer,CZA

Editorial Consultants Himanshu Malhotra & Sabina Kidwai

Cover photograph

Contents

School of Planning and Architecture

CZA – An Overview

History of Zoo Movement in India

Importance of Captive Breeding in Zoos

Designing of Zoos and Importance of Enrichment

Zoo News

Global News

CZA News

The Snow leopard lives between 3,000 and 5,500 metres above mean sea level in the rocky mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. Because of its secretive nature its exact numbers are unknown, but it has been estimated that between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards exist in the wild and between 600 and 700 in zoos worldwide. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling has been identified as the co-ordinating zoo for breeding the Snow leopard.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles are the personal views of the authors

Photo credit: Himanshu Malhotra

1

MESSAGE

Indiaisacountrywithrichbiodiversitycomprisingalargevarietyofuniquefloraandfauna.Conservationof our precious biodiversity is a responsibility we all must share. Zoos are a major component of this conservation process because of their valuable role as educators and safe havens for endangered species. The zoo movement in India has come a long way with zoos today becoming centres for the breeding of many of the endangered species, thus providing a hope for the future. Today, naturalistic enclosures with proper enrichment, good diet and regular veterinary care for animals have ensured that the animals are healthy. Guidelines on conservation breeding programme of endangered animals and maintenanceofproperstudbookshaveensuredascientificbreedingprocess,whichcaneventuallyallow certain bred animals to be reintroduced into the wild.

Achild’sfirstintroductiontowildlifeisthroughthezoo,wherehelearnsaboutwildanimalspeciesanddevelops sensitivity to varied elements of environment. Thus zoos play an indispensable role in the overall development of the new generation which is sensitive and aware of its nation’s natural heritage including biodiversity.

TheCentralZooAuthoritybeingtheapexbodyforallzoosinIndiaplaysacommendableroleinthefieldof conservation and education. The Central Zoo Authority under the guidance of Ministry of Environment and Forests ensures that all zoos follow the common conservation guidelines thus enriching the quality of life of the zoo animals and simultaneously contributing to the conservation of wildlife.

ex-situupdates the maiden newsletter of the Central Zoo Authority is intended to play a major role in creating awareness about the zoo movement in the country by highlighting the interventions in design, breeding process, nutrition, education and zoo management. The newsletter will be a valuable document in understanding the development of the zoo movement and in disseminating information to the wider zoo community on conservation and healthcare of zoo animals.

I am sure the newsletter will be useful to zoo lovers, veterinarians, wildlife conservationists and above all the young generation of the country. I congratulate Central Zoo Authority for this milestone initiativeofbringingoutthefirsteditionofex-situupdates to disseminate zoo related information to all stakeholders.

Jayanthi Natarajan

Minister of State (I/C)Ministry of Environment and Forests

Government of IndiaChairperson

Central Zoo Authority

Jayanthi Natarajan

2

FROM THE DESK OF MEMBER SECRETARY

TheGovernmentofIndiahasalwaysrecognizedtheimportanceofex-situwildlife conservation, which has resulted in the establishment of many modern zoos in major Indian cities after independence. The Central Zoo Authority was established in 1992 to oversee the functioning of zoos in the country and to provide them with technical and other assistance for their improvement. Accordingly, the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992 was formulatedtofixstandardsandnormsforscientificmanagementofzoos.The National Zoo Policy, 1998 gives clear directions for the functioning of zoos. It states that the main objective of zoos shall be to complement and strengthen the national efforts in the conservation of rich biodiversity of the country. To play the assigned role, the zoos need to have physically, genetically and behaviorally healthy and self-sustaining populations ofdesirable wild animal species. This is important not only for display but also as insurance against future exigencies and release/ introduction/ reintroduction operations in the wild, if required. The Central Zoo Authority is working in this direction. The amended Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009 spells out the role of Central Zoo Authority more as a facilitator than as a regulator.

ex-situupdates is an endeavor of Central Zoo Authority to provide current information on the development of zoos, master planning, conservation breeding,researchprogrammes,educationactivitiesetc.Thefirstissueof the quarterly newsletter ex-situupdates being published by Central Zoo Authority aims to provide updates to zoo managers and those involved in zoo related activities on the initiatives taken in pursuance of the National Zoo Policy, 1998, Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009 and decisions taken from time to time in various Committees and Expert Groups.

I hope this endeavour to publish a quarterly newsletter (ex-situupdates) will provide updates on happenings in zoos in India and abroad and will helpinmanagingexistingzoosbetterandfacilitatethe identificationandformulationofnew,innovativeactivitiesforlong-termdevelopmentofzoos in the country in future.

B. S. BONAL

Policy, Rules and Guidelines of Central Zoo Authority

1. National Zoo Policy, 1998

2. Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009

3.Guidelinesforthescientific management of zoos in India

a) Guidelines for grant of approval for establishment of New Zoos

b) Guidelines for facilitating effectiveandscientific mangement of Zoos in India

c) Guidelines for master plans for zoos

d) Guidelines for prescribing minimium size of feeding/ retiring cubicles and outdoor enclosures

e) Guidelines for use of innovative exhibit design and barriers

f) Guidelines for exchange or transfer of animals between zoos

g) Guidelines for transport of captive animals

h) Guidelines for marking of animals and birds

4. Guidelines for conservation breeding programmes

5. Protocol on transportation of wild animals

6. Guidelines on minimum dimension of enclosures for housing exotic animals of different species in India.

3

– S K Patnaik

India has a very long tradition of keeping wild animals in captivity that dates back to the pre-historic

mythological ages of the Ramayan and Mahabharat. In ancient times the emperors, maharajas and rajas did keep animals in captivity in their palace complexes for the amusement of their family members, courtesans and other dignitaries and as status symbols. Perhaps, these captive animals included exotics, as indicated by the depiction on the stone panels of the Sun Temple of Konarak built in the 14th Century, of a giraffe being presented to a king. However, the first modern day Indian zoo knownas The Indian Natural History Project, came up at Barrackpore near Calcutta (nowKolkata)in1803.Thiswasthefirst such initiative in Asia or maybe even so in the world.

However, after 50 years, in 1854 the next aviary/zoo was opened by Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur

in his private residential mansion popularly known as ‘Marble Palace’ in the heart of Calcutta City. This small zoo which is still in existence, happens to be the oldest surviving zoo in the country now. But in the subsequent year, 1855 another zoo was established by Madras Municipality in Madras (now Chennai). However, this zoo was closed in 1980 and the animals were shifted to a new site, now known as Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai.

As time passed more and more zoos were established in different cities and towns of India such as Trivandrum (1857), Junagadh and Bombay (1863), Jaipur and Calcutta (Alipore Zoo) (1875), Baroda (1879), Mysore (1892), Nagpur (1905), Lucknow and Gwalior (1921), Udaipur (1935), Bikaner and Jodhpur (1936) in the pre-independence era. The animals (nearly 250) of Barrackpore facility, were transferred to Alipore Zoo in 1875 when the old facility was closed.

In 1892, Sri Ram Bramha Sanyal, superintendent, Alipore Zoo wrote a book on keeping different species of zoo animals. This, perhaps, was the first suchbookwrittenon thesubjectand a pioneering work. But the major breakthrough in the establishment of zoological parks took place after India’s independence in 1947. A number of modern zoos were established e.g in Ahmedabad (1951), Darjeeling (1958), Guwahati (1958), New Delhi (1959), Nandankanan, Bhubaneswar (1960), Hyderabad (1963), Kanpur (1968), Chhatbir, Punjab (1979) and Vandalur, Madras (1985). Many old zoos were also remodeled on modern lines. Efforts were also made to construct large, naturalistic moated enclosures instead of the cages preferred during the earlier period. While National Zoological Park, New Delhi had the contributions of Karl Hegenbeck, it was, Pushp Kumar, starting with Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad who assisted many Indian zoos in enclosure \ zoo designing.

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

History of Zoo Movement in India The first notable attempt to

improve the conditions and to bring all Indian zoos on one common platform was made in 1956 by the formation of a zoo wing of the Indian Board of Wildlife. It met on May 16,1956 for the first time. In1973, the Government of India took a major step by appointing the Expert CommitteeonZoosconsistingoffiveeminent scientists/ zoo personnel for suggesting administrative and technical measures for improving the conditions of zoos and their management in India. This report served as a guideline for the establishment of new zoos and improvement of old zoos. This report listed 47 zoos, both public and private in the country. After this, the directors of major zoos used to meet in Delhi at irregular intervals to exchange ideas on zoo management and arrange animal exchanges. In one such meeting (3rd) in November 1985, it was decided to meet outside Delhi andthefirstsuchmeetingwasheldat Trivandrum in 1988.

Ben

gal t

iger

s at

Sep

ahija

la Z

oo

4

According to a survey undertaken by the Government of India through the Wildlife Institute of India (1990) there were 98 established zoos and 5 zoos under construction in the country. Besides, there were 189 other institutions keeping wild animals in captivity such as deer parks, safari park, snake parks, aquariums nature parks, education centres and breeding centres. These 189 institutions were spread throughout the country in almost all the states. At one point of time around 1993, there were reportedly 430 zoos / mini zoos/deer parks in the country.

Prior to the creation of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in 1992, all matters relating to the zoos of the country were dealt with by a unit headed by a joint director under the Directorate of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment & Forests. In November, 1988 the Wildlife Institute of India initiated a three years Zoo Consultancy Project in collaboration with all the zoos of the country. After completing the project, the Wildlife Institute of India prepared a report on zoos of the country and formulated guidelines on

(a) minimum standards for the maintenance of wild animals in captivity.(b) model veterinary facilities for zoos (c) management plans for zoos, (d) captive breeding programmes, (e) interpretative and educational programmes within zoos (f) training programmes for different categories of zoo personnel on zoo management,(g) conducting research on wild animals in captivity and(h) structure, role and function of the proposed central unit under the Government of India as a nodal agency for better management and development of the zoos in the country.

The creation of Central Zoo Authority in 1992 is a follow up of these recommendations. The 1991, amendment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 lists the structure, role and powers of this authority, which is a statutory body of the MoEF. This authority functioned under

the chairmanship of the Minister, Environment and Forests. The idea of forming the Indian Zoo Directors’ Association (IZDA) was mooted at the third All India Zoo Directors Conference (AIZDC) held in November, 1985 at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi. In the 4th AIZDC held at Trivandrum (Kerala) in June, 1988, a draft constitution of IZDA was put up for discussion. Further, detailed discussions were held on the constitution of IZDA in January, 1989 at Bhubaneswar, Orissa and at the January, 1990 meeting held at Junagadh (Gujarat), it was given a finalshape.Electionswereheldfortheposts of one chairmanand four vice-chairman (from four regions of the country) of IZDA in January 1990 for the first time.TheDirectorof theNationalZoological Park, New Delhi was nominatedasmember-secretaryoftheAssociation on a permanent basis. The IZDA was registered at Cuttack, Orissa on July 30, 1991. This association has been able to bring out a number of volumes of Indian Zoo Yearbook and Compendium of Scientific Papers onZoos, besides some issues of IZDA/CZA newsletter with the support of the CZA. The Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO), Coimbatore has also played it role in bringing out ZOO’s Print and ZOO ZEN and other publications on scientificandmanagementaspectsofzoos.

In January, 1989, the Nandankanan Biological Park, Orissa brought out thefirstDirectory of Indian Zoos con-taining detailed information of only 49 zoos, mini zoos, deer parks, snake parks and aquariums as information on others was not readily available. It was brought out on the occasion of the 5th Indian Zoo Directors’ meeting held at Bhubaneswar, Orissa.

After the formation of the CZA, despite a multiplicity of ownership of different zoos like the state forest departments, municipal corporations/ municipalities, corporate bodies, educational institutions, some control has been established. The zoos are being evaluated and advice is being given to them for their improvement. Training for different personnel has been organised and funding is being provided for

different purposes to improve the zoos. Many research projects have been taken up, regional health centers and institutions like LaCONES (step-up in 1998 with focus on conservation of endangered species like the lions, tigers and other rare species on the verge of extinction) have been set up and a number of books published with the support of the authority. Despite these efforts, some zoos which have not been able to meet the standard set by CZA have been closed, some have been or are being relocated to new spacious sites or are being modernised. Now, the total number of large, medium, small and mini zoos including rescue centres and circuses comes to 198. There has been perceptible improvement in most major zoos and conservation breeding, research and education are being given the highest priority, while the process of preparation of master plans for long term development of all the zoos is in progress. So far, Master Plans of a fair number of zoos have been finalised. The CZA and some individual zoos have also established close links with different international institutions like WAZA, ISIS and zoos abroad. Thus, the future of zoos in India looks very bright and promising and they can play a very proactive role in conservation breeding of endangered species and their reintroduction into the wild. Besides, the zoos provide improved living conditions for the animals and the visitor interest and satisfaction has become better.

The author is a retired CWLW of Govt. of Od-isha and member of CZA and Central Empowered Committee of Govt. of India.

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

Old cage, Junagarh Zoo

CZA

approved an

additional grant of

Rs. 2.719 lakhs for the

construction of a storage

facility (Godown) at

Conservation Breeding Project

Site at the Sepahijala

Zoological Park,

Agartala

5

The establishment of Central Zoo Authority and its funct ions have been appropriately dealt

in the article of S.K Patnaik titled “Zoo movement in India.” By the beginning of the 7th decade of the 20th century, there was a global realization that the relevance of zoos in the future would depend on their capability to evolve as wildlife conservation centers and to contribute to long term conservation of natural resources by way of mustering public support for the cause. This development spurred the Government of India to form a Group of Experts to study the management status of the zoos operating at that point of time and make recommendations for enhancing their conservation role. The Group made very comprehensive guidelines on the subject, most of which are quite valid even today. The guidelines were accepted by the Government of India and forwarded to the state governments and the zoo operators for compliance. It was sad that traditional perception of zoos continued to prevail in the minds of the people in power and the excellent guidelines by and large remained ignored but for establishment of two or three good zoos viz, M.C. Zoological Park, Chatbir (Punjab), Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai and Tirupati Zoological Park, Tirupati. Ill-conceive, unplanned dingy zoosmushroomed at an unprecedented pace throughout the seventh and eighth decade and early part of ninth decade in utter disregard of the guidelines issued by the Government of India.

Despite being quite concerned about the deteriorating situation of zoos in the country, the Government of India could not do much to arrest this negative trend in absence of any statuary/legal powers in zoo related matters. It was under this desperate situation that the Government of India established the Central Zoo Authority.

CZA An overview

Despite being quite concerned about deteriorating situation about the zoos in the country, the Government of India could not do much to arrest this negative trend in absence of any statuary/legal powers in zoo related matters. It was under this desperate situation that the Government of India established the Central Zoo Authority.

– S.C.Sharma

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

CZA

approved an

additional grant of

Rs. 2.719 lakhs for the

construction of a storage

facility (Godown) at

Conservation Breeding Project

Site at the Sepahijala

Zoological Park,

Agartala

Painted Storks in Delhi Zoo

Binturong at Sepahijala Zoo

6

Year of Establishment

Number of Zoos (Area Category wise in ha )

≥50 20-50 10-20 5-10 ≤5 Total

Prior to 1950 1 3 2 7 6 19

1951 to 1960 4 1 3 4 7 19

1961 to 1970 0 2 4 3 5 14

1971 to 1980 11 11 9 7 55 93

1981 to 1990 11 7 8 9 86 121

1991 to 1993 13 22 4 134 175

Total 27 37 38 34 294 440

The table given below will make the situation amply clear:

*Besides there were 23 mobile zoos also

Identification of zoos which had the potential to develop

The task ahead of the Central Zoo Authority was to categorize the existing zoos in two categories i.e. those zoos continuance of which was in the interest of wildlife conservation and the zoos the continuance of which was not in the interest of wildlife conservation. To achievethisgoaltheauthorityfinalizedthe standards and norms regarding housing, upkeep, health care and other matters related to zoos and got them notified as RecognitionOf Zoo Rules1992 by the Government. Thereafter the long drawn process of evaluation of the zoos was taken up.

The zoos whose continuation was not found in the interest of wildlife conservation were given time to improve and if needed shift to alternative site. The zoos which failed to improve were asked to close down and the zoos which had the potential to improve and showed willingness to improve were granted recognition and allowed to continue operation.

Atthetimeofthefirstevaluationnozooin the country conformed to any of the standards and norms notified in theRecognition of Zoo Rules. Therefore the zoos which had the potential to

≥50 ha 20-50ha 10-20ha 5-10ha ≤ 5 ha TOTAL

33 25 29 31 58* 176

Area-wise break up of zoos granted recognition and still operational

*includes 24 rescue centres, 3 breeding centres and 5 snake parks

come up to the prescribed standards and norms had to be given conditional recognition, prescribing a time frame in which the inadequacies were to be redressed. However it was amply clear that the zoos had neither the resources nor the technical know how to redress the problem on their own. Therefore the next priority of the authorities was to facilitate the zoos in their develop-mentonscientificlines.

Improvement of zoos which had the potential to develop

The Central Zoo Authority requested the Government of India to allocate sufficient funds for meeting the

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

Hornbill at Sepahijala Zoo

7

developmental needs of the zoos.The request was gladly accepted by the Government. Over last 20 years more than 150 crores have been provided by the authorities as grant to various zoos for improvement of animal housing, development and upkeep of infrastructure and upgrading and creation of health care facilities. An expert group has been set up in the authority to advise the zoos on animal enclosure designing and approving the enclosure designs submitted by the zoos to the authority. The evaluation teams, consisting of zoo experts visit the zoos periodically to tender advise to them on all matters related with zoo planning and conservation. Meetings of zoo directors, zoo vets, educators and biologists are held annually to expose them to new concepts of zoo management and to get their feedback on the approach being adopted by the authority. Two week capsule courses are also organized in alternate years for the zoo directors and zoo supervisors for providing specialized inputs to them on different aspects of zoo management. One zoo director and one zoo veterinarian are sent every year to Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, U.K for attending the three week course on ‘Conservation of Endangered Species’. Periodically

some zoo supervisors are also sent for advanced training abroad. Capsule training programmes for zoo keepers are also organized every year in every region of the country. To begin with, the Recognition of Zoo Rules concentrated more on routine animal maintenance issues but with the rise in the capabilities of the zoos greater emphasis is being put on higher issues like master planning, conservation breeding, tranquilization and visitor education. The Recognition of Zoo Rules were amended in 2009 to provide required thrust on these issues. Minimizing the impact on the natural landscape of the area is also an important component of the rules now.

Augmenting the health care facilities

Central Zoo Authority has been giving the highest priority to the animal health care facilities. Substantial investments have been made for providing appropriate equipment and literature to the zoo hospitals but high rates of mortalities continue to plague the zoos. A lack of experienced veterinarians continue to be a serious limiting factor. The authority therefore decided to involve the eminent veterinary institutions in the health management of zoo animals and established Regional Health Centres by providing grants to carry out investigation and diagnosis of diseases in zoo animals and provide prophylactic treatment. Grants were given to Khanpara Veterinary College, Assam, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture University, Bhuvaneshwar, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, Anand Veterinary College and the Indian Vetenary Research Institute. The arrangement has proved quite successful. Veterinary workshops were organized alternate years in different places like Indian Veterinary Research Institute 1996, Delhi 2003, Chennai 2010.

Conservation of endangered species

Conservation of endangered species has been quite high on the agenda of the authority. With the objective

of providing proper orientation to zoos of the country the following workshops were organized with the help of international experts:1.General- Zoo vision workshop1994, Future strategy workshop Hyderabad 1998 & The Conservation breeding & Genetic Management workshop Delhi 2000.2.PHVA workshops- Lion TailedMacaque (1993), Indian Lion (1993), Sangai, Swamp Deer (1995), Red Panda(1994) & Ghariyal(1994).

Central Zoo Authority has already identified priority species for conser-vation breeding programmes and the programmes of breeding 20 species have already been launched. To pro-vide technical support to the pro-gramme, research projects have been launchedforseveralspeciesandfieldbiologists placed in various zoos.

Genetic management

Central Zoo Authority with the help of CSIR and Department of Science & Technology, GOI has established the Laboratory on Conservation of Endangered Species at Hyderabad with DNA and Cryopreservation facilities. All the animals to be used in the conservation breeding are being subjected to detailed DNA mapping to ensure that no related animals are allowed to breed.

CZA while providing the zoos of the country a proper direction, has also done well in accommodating and rehabilitating 400 lions and about 100 tigers rescued from circuses. Sloth Bears held with madaris have also been successfully rehabilitated by the Bear Rescue Centre, Agra. Rescue Centres for leopards have also been established.

Central Zoo Authority has undoubtedly done very well in bringing up the zoos of the country from the dire state of management to a state of preparedness for taking up the role of centres of conservation.

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

The author is the founder Member Secretary of CZA and a retired Additional Director General of Forests (WL) Government of India.

Clouded leopard at Sepahijala Zoo

8

Mysore Zoo has become the proud owner of three young cheetah cubs

The Cheetah (Acinonyxjubatus) is a vulnerable species. Four adult Cheetahs were received by Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysore Zoo) from Rhino Lion Nature Reserves, Muldersdrift, Brodedtrstroom, South Africa on behalf of Leipzig Zoo, Germany, in an animal exchange programme in March 2011. Out of four animals, one of the females indicated signs of pregnancy. After 20 days of observation, the female was taken to a squeeze cage for examination and for collection of blood sample for laboratory analysis to check vital organ functions. It was observed that the female was in good condition and had well developed mammary glands, indicative of pregnancy. With the help of animal keepers, the holding room of the enclosure, where the pregnant cheetah was housed, was prepared for parturition. CCTV infrared (day & night vision) cameras were placed in all three holding rooms. The recording DVR with inbuilt display monitor was placed in an adjacent holding room of a different enclosure to provided undisturbed monitoring of activities.The Cheetah was comfortable with the arrangements and finally delivered on 27/05/2011, a month after its arrival from South Africa. It took 4 hours and 20 minutes to deliver three cubs. All three cubs have been doing well.

Zoo News

Photo credit: Mysore Zoo

Photo credit: Mysore Zoo

Photo credit: KNPS, Indore

Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Zoological

Garden acquires Asiatic Lions

For the first time, the Dr. ShyamaPrasad Mukherjee Zoological Garden, Surat, has acquired two Asiatic lions in its collection of animals. The lions were procured by the zoo recently in exchange for exotic birds with the Sakkarbaug zooatJunagadh.Thelionsaresub-adults.

CZA approved financial

assistance of Rs. 67 lakhs for

development work at Biological Park,

Itanagar

CZA approved a grant

of Rs.14.00 lakhs for the research on

Conservation Breeding of Indian pangolin at

Nandankanan Zoological Park,

Bhubaneswar

Asiatic lions Christening baby Hippo ‘Dimpy”

Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrhalaya Zoo, Indore witnessed the Christening ceremony of a baby Hippo. The baby was born on 31/8/2011. A local radio channel 94.3 MyFM actively participated in the christening ceremony “what should be the name of baby hippo”. During the campaign the channel, received 2000 names from the children and people of Indore city. On the last day of Wildlife Week the chief guest Mahendra Hardia, Minister for Health, & Mayor of Indorefinallyshortlisted10namesout of the 2000 names. On the basis of the recommendations of the children present in the ceremony the name “Dimpy” was selected

Dimpy Hippo with mother

CZA approved financial

assistance of Rs. 57.52 lakhs for

development works at Nagaland Zoological

Park, Rangapahar

9

– Dr Brij Raj Sharma

The best strategy for the long term protection of wildlife

is its conservation in its natural community in the wild. Only in natural communities are animals able to continue their process of evolutionary adaptation to a changing environment. However, in the face of increasing human activities, in situ conservation is not currently a viable option for many rare species and species may decline or go extinct in the wild for any of the reasons like: loss of genetic variation and in-breeding depression, demographic andenvironmentalvariability,insufficienthabitat, deteriorating habitat quality, habitat fragmentation, competition from invasive species, disease and excessive hunting and collecting. It is likely that the only way species in such

circumstances can be prevented from going extinct is to maintain individuals in artificial conditions under human supervision.

The expertise,infrastructure and stock of wild animals in various captive breeding facilities including zoos can play a pivotal role in saving many speciesfromextinction.Ex-situwildlife conservation is a young and controversial discipline, seen by some as inspiring and important, while others view these efforts as overreaching, expansive and inefficient use of resources. Despite the controversy, ex-situwildlifeconservationisevolving into a key discipline for conservation of critically endangered wild animal species.Thehistoryofre-introduction from captive propagation is discouraging, but hardly more so than preservation in nature. Each approach has something to offer, but each by itself is too specialised for the complexity of modern conservation and multiplicity of responses it depends upon.

In 1986 in a landmark paper, ‘the millennium ark: how long a voyage, how many sate rooms, how many passengers?’ M.Soule and others

carved out a scheme for optimal allocation of global zoo space

coupled to the application of merging ex-situ wildlifeconservation science. Their proposal is perhaps the most elegant presentation to date

in terms of making efficient, sustainableandconservation-

relevant use of zoo space. The Ark paradigm as described by M.Soul and his friends responds to the then predicted‘demographicwinter’of500-1.500 years after which the current trend of environmental degradation would be expected to stabilise, allowing for there-establishmentofwildareas.The authors proposed a role for ex-situbreedinginsustainingasub-setofspecies through this period.

To retain their value as a genetic reservoir, a target of retaining 90% of wild source gene diversity in these populations was proposed, offering an intuitive threshold between the need to retain genetic diversity and the constraints of available space.

Ex-situ wildlife conservation is a young and controversial discipline, seen by some as inspiring and important, while others view these efforts as overreaching, expansive and inefficient use of resources.

CZA approved a grant

of Rs 43.24 lakhs for the conservation

breeding of the Golden langur at Assam

State Zoo

Importance of Captive Breeding in Zoos

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

Golden langur

Pygmy hog

10

Further, recognising the large size of captive populations needed to meet this target over 500-1,500 years, they instead proposed a 200 year target, arguing that within 200 years technological developments will allow much less space-intensive means of preserving populations through cryopreservation of gametes and assisted reproduction. Coincidentally, this accords well with recent UN (2004) 100-200 year estimates for the time frame for achieving a stable human population size. In short, the authors were proposing thatex-situfacilitiesaroundtheworldcollaborate to establish a modern day Noah’s Ark. So powerful was this vision that it drove considerable global activity for the next decade.The world’s zoos embarked on unprecedented levels of cooperation. Many cooperative conservation breeding programmes were initiated worldwide and adopted standard targets of retaining 90% of wild source gene diversity for 200 years. The Convention on Biodiversity, 1992 has recommended measures for the ex-situ conservation of thecomponents of biological diversity, preferably in the country of origin of such components (Article 9). The World Zoo and Aquarium Conservation Strategy, 2005 advocates integrated conservation, bringing together in situ and ex situ to achieve conservation priorities. In India, the National Zoo Policy, 1998 and National Wildlife ActionPlan(2002-2016)layemphasis on the role of zoos for ex-situbreeding of endangered species of wild fauna and their rehabilitation in the wild. It is a tall order, far beyond the existing capabilities. But now is the time to look ahead, co-operate and plan, before options are further narrowed. Some initiatives/attempts have been made in different parts of the world including India for planned, co-ordinatedconservationbreedingof identified endangered wild animal species and re-introduction of suchcaptive born wild animals into their wild habitats with varying degrees of success. The attempts are multiplying and are getting better at it.

To maintain genetic variation and avoid inbreeding in small captive populations requires orchestrated breeding strategy.

The need for ex-situ conservation of wild fauna as one of the main objectives for management of zoos was realised by the Government of India soon after independence and the then Indian Board for Wildlife (now the National Board for Wildlife) made important recommendations in this regard. To give proper direction and thrust to the management of zoos in the country, the National Zoo Policy was framed and adopted by the Government of India in the year 1998. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002 - 2016) also lays emphasis on the role of zoos for ex situ breeding of endangered species of wild fauna and their rehabilitation into the wild.The Central Zoo Authority has been identified as the organisation for developingcapabilitiesinthisfield.TheCentral Zoo Authority felt that critically endangered wild animal species with few hundred/ thousand (or say less than 2,500) left in the wild need to be taken up for ex-situ conservation breeding in the zoos on an immediate basis in the country.

TheAuthorityhasidentified73critically endangered wild animal species for planned and coordinated conservation breeding in Indian zoos. It was also felt in the Central Zoo Authority that Indian zoos have to have at least 100 properly and scientifically bredand physically, genetically and behaviourally healthy individuals of each endangered wild animal species in captivity, to act as insurance cover in case of population loss of the species in the wild. Three objectives, that is having proper captive stock for continuous display in Indian zoos, to have properly bred animals to act as insurance in the case of collapse of their wild populations and for reintroduction or release in the wild in case needed, is the base of Conservation Breeding and Recovery Programme for Endangered Species in India.

To bring in holistic development and to achieve the objective which can complement the national effort of wild-life conservation in India, the Indian zoos need to infuse more technical and scientific culture in their operations.More than 90% of the recognised zoos in the country are operated and controlled by the state forest/ wildlife departments. These are also managing the in-situ facilities that make the coordination between the in-situ and ex-situ wildlife conservation activities much easier. The wild animals bred as

Thetaskisdefined:tokeepasmany endangered species as possible alive in captivity for as long as is necessary (which could be even centuries) in a state in which they are capable of returning to the wild. Most animals can be kept alive. Most can be induced to breed, at least from time to time. The problems that remain are of biology, in particular of genetics, and of logistics. Noah, according to Genesis, saved all the creatures that were then alive simply by taking a pair of each kind into the Ark. At firstsight,thisseemsareasonable strategy. A healthy young male and a healthy young female are enough to start a family, and then a lineage. Noah was blessed with divine intervention. In practice, there are many issues which need consideration. One issue is accidents, which includes disease and the possibility of infertility. Then there is the matter of demographic stochasticity (sex ratio and infant mortality) and biology (reproductive and behavioural) including genet ics.

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

Clouded leopard cub

11

Photo credit: Himanshu Malhotra

part of the coordinated conservation breeding activity, will occasionally be released in the identified habitats. The main purpose of this will be to have hands on experience and develop the mechanism for such operations, so that this can be used in case of exigencies in formal release operations, zoos may have to conduct in future.

Extinction crises continue apace worldwide. Solutions are being sought on a number of fronts, with multi-country agreements. Captivewild animal facilities should also position themselves, to make a useful and meaningful contribution to the conservation of wildlife. The zoos have come a long way from being takers from wild to conservation breeding centres releases in the wild. Some species will be viable only as a part of a meta-populations maintained by translocations or re-introductions.Many will survive only in undersized protected areas, where curatorial management and veterinary aids are available. Major task of conventional conservation organisations is to save functioning ecosystems. Whereas, major tasks for zoos and conservation breedingistoassistinginsavingnon-functional ecosystems.

Nevertheless, in conservation, conservation breeding and re-

introduction are the last resort. Zoos and captive breeding facilities are just like life-boatson the ‘Titanic.’ If managed and maintained properly they will be able to save some of the first-class passengers, calledcritically ‘endangered species.’ What matters most is that animals should survive in sufficientvarietyandnumbers,andwithenough of their behaviour intact, to take them back to the wild in some future, more relaxed and more enlightened time. Conservation breeding can help that to happen. If an animal lives as a member of a social group that is proper for its species, feeds upon its near natural feed, finds its ownmateand rears its own offspring, it does not seem to matter much if it is also protected from predators, or its area has limitations. Conservation breeding should be seen to be only a part of the spectrum that extends from the intensive care to the wilderness, of the conservation endeavour.

India also has its fair share of problems and responsibilities. India’s Conservation Breeding and Recovery Programme for Endangered Species, if implemented properly will be able to save some of the most critically endangered wild animal species in the subcontinent. In a few centuries’ time’ if all goes well, the importance of zoos as conservation breeding units will diminish. For the present, its significance must grow. For the nextfew centuries, it must be perceived as a necessary part of civilisation.

The author is CCF in Government of West Bengalandex-MemberSecretaryofCZA.

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

NZP to have a new look

The National Zoological Park, Delhi released its Master (Layout) plan on its Foundation Day, 1st November 2011. The Plan proposes to overhaul the zoo to include better facilities for both animals and the visitors. The display themes in the Zoo will be rearranged imparting a national character to the park. The Zoo will accommodate over 200 species and more than 2000 inmates. The themes will include Central Indian Highlands, Peninsular India, Himalayan foothills as well as exotic themes such as Africana etc. Thirty nine of the existing enclosures will be upgraded. A new Visitor Centre has been proposed which includes an Education Centre, a Food Court, a Souvenir shop and Public Conveniences.

Zoo News

Wildlife Week celeberations

During the first week of October2011 all zoos all over the country observed Wildlife Week. Many events were organized which included programmes for school children like painting, photography and clay modeling competitions. Exhibitions and educational tours were organized to create awareness in the public.

Red pandaSnow leopard

12

Pho

to c

redi

t: H

iman

shu

Mal

hotra

at Darjeeling in 1958 and was named Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park on the name of the then governor of West Bengal. Later, well planned zoos were set up by the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Assam at Hyderabad (1959), Bhubaneswar (1960) and Guwahati (1957) respectively.

Zoos were blessed by the appointment of the Committee of Zoo Experts by the Central Government, who suggested measures for improving theefficiencyof various operations involved in the zoo management.

The report recommended that ‘enclosures in a zoo should be sufficiently large to give fullest opportunity to breeding rituals like chasing, dancing and exploration, and should have hiding places for privacy of the animals. The zoo operator should simulate the natural habitat of the animal housed as closely as possible’.

Enrichment

In order to equip such enclosures to meet the biological requirement for a wide range of activities like foraging, exploration, territorial patrolling,

marking territorial boundaries, avoiding predators, wallowing, climbing, burrowing and seeking mates, it is important that we provide species specific environmental enrichment tothe animals housed in an enclosure at the time of conceptualising the design of the exhibit. It is imperative that the animal’s demands with regard to social behaviour includes parenting, courtship and other interactive activities being met. All these activities involve constant alertness to visual, oral and olfactory stimuli. Even during the inactivity period in the wild, the animals are involved in setting up and constructing secure refuges such as nests, burrows, dens and searching tree holes.

Why is enrichment Important?

Wild animals spend considerable time and energy finding and processing food, building nests and defending their territories. Most of their waking hours may be spent meeting these needs. The high quality of care provided inacaptiveenvironment,significantlyreduces the time an animal must spend in these pursuits, but does not address the behavioural needs

– Dr Brij Kishor Gupta

The era of designing of zoos with modern concepts began in our country when the Indian Board for

Wildlife in its meeting in 1952 decided that the Central Government should set up a modern zoos in major cities of the country for educating the people at large on the rich fauna of the country and the need to conserve it.

Consequently, the construction work of Delhi Zoo (know as National Zoological Park) was started in 1955. The government wanted the Delhi Zoo to be a really world class zoo and therefore, hired the services of the world’s most renowned zoo designer of that era, Carl Hagenbeck, owner of Hamburg Zoo(Germany) to prepare the Master Plan of the Delhi Zoo.The services of the director of Colombo Zoo were also hiredtoassistthegovernmentofficialsin the construction phase of the Delhi Zoo.The construction work of the zoo was completed by 1959, when the zoo was opened to the public.

A specialised zoo for high hill fauna was also set up by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India in collaboration with the government of West Bengal

Designing of Zoos andImportance of Enrichment

Bear enclosure at Assam State Zoo

13

behaviour lead to the development of aberrant/ stereotypic behaviour in the animals, which make them look pathetic.

There is no denying the fact that it is neither feasible nor practical to simulate the conditions of the wild in the zoo, still the zoo operators can provide the zoo animals ample opportunities to express their natural behaviour through imaginative enclosure designing and planned enrichment. The technical help of behavioural biologists may be obtained in developing the appropriate enrichment plan for the wild animals.

The important components of environmental enrichment are:(i) Keep animals in compatible social groups. Provide adequate three dimensional space for exercising the normal movement behaviour patterns that iswalking, flyingand climbing.

(ii) Provide suitable substrate to facilitate the animals to satisfy their digging, burrowing and exploratory instincts.

(iii) Provide suitable trees, shrubs and bushes in the enclosures to provide the animals opportunities for

climbing, swinging, feeding, clawing, playing and rubbing the antlers. Trees take substantial time to grow to the required sizes. During the interim period, appropriately sized logs/ branches of trees could be used to meet the behavioural needs of the animals. There should be provision of alternative enclosures for the ungulates living in larger social groups, bears and primates so that the animals could be shifted from one enclosure to the other to facilitate recovery of vegetation.

(iv) Burrows/ dens could also be constructed to facilitate the animals to hibernate or to take shelter during extreme weather conditions.

(v) Plant grass and reeds to provide cover area for the animals.

(vi) Fix mud pots, tree hollows, bamboo baskets to meet nesting and egg laying by birds.

Function of environmental enrichment

In captivity, most of the physiological needs of an animal are provided by its keepers, but a wild counterpart will conversely expend energy meeting these needs in an unpredictable environment. Enrichment can promote species-typicalbehaviourbyproviding the animals with a complex and unpredictable environment.

Photo credit: Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta

It is important that we provide species specific environmental enrichment to the animals housed in enclosure at the time of conceptualising the design of the exhibit.

associated with these activities. It has become necessary to provide alternative methods of stimulating natural foraging behaviour to meet both the mental and physical needs of the captive animal. Enrichment can promote species-typical behaviourby providing animals with a complex and unpredictable environment. That environment may include activities that are both challenging and time consuming and may serve several functions, such as:

a) improving animal well-being by increasing exercise, satisfying behavioural needs and optimising the level of stimulation animals receive, while also attempting to reduce abnormal behaviour patterns;

b) educating both animal caretakers and zoo visitors by increasing natural behaviours, visibility and activity levels;

c) assisting in the conservation of endangered species by improving the success of captive breeding and reintroduction programmes through improvements in social group composition, the promotion of normal physiological and psychological development, and the maintenance of behaviours that may be required for survival in the wild.

To achieve the continued benefits of enrichment, care must be taken to ensure that novelty is maintained. A random or rotating schedule of enrichment is needed to keep the animal’s interest. The natural world constantly changes, forcing animals to adapt to new situations. Novel enrichment can stimulate the same flexibility.

We know that in the zoo environment, the environmental complexity is missing and the animal has to make little effort for getting its food and security. The availability of space for movement and other physical activities like digging, burrowing or nesting, is also limited and the animals can no longer express their natural behaviour. Lack of stimuli to take up any physical activity (absence of hunger and insecurity) and continued stressdue tonon-fulfilmentofnatural

Primate enrichment Uses of enrichment

In the wild, the animals have to search for their food, shelter, con specifics, predators and defend territories. Changes in enclosure structures, feeding schedules or social groupings, can reduce neurotic stereotypical behaviours suchaspacingorover-grooming.Also, it can promote behaviours which resemble those observed in the wild. An enriched environment should also offer a captive animal a sense of control resulting from the ability to make choices for it-self, whether or not to hide, what kind of temperature and weather to experience, and when and how to feed.

14

Uses of enrichment in zoos, rehabilitation and rescue centres At zoos and rehabilitation and rescue centres, environmental enrichment is useful in securing animal welfare. Also, it may enhance training procedures for those animals that are intended to be released, stimulating different natural behaviours such as foraging, orientation, avoidance of predators and participating in social relationships.

In zoos the animal collection is mostly stable and animals are confined toparticular enclosures and exhibits. On the other hand rescue and rehabilitation centresmanage floating populations of different species, depending on localisation site, time of the year, educational campaigns and law enforcement. Also, rescue and rehabilitation centres can not have specialised enclosures for the species like zoos have. This makes the development of environmental enrichmentprogrammesmoredifficultin these kind of centres than in zoos.

Despite some operating differences, research on environmental enrichment in zoos is definitely useful for rescueand rehabilitation centres. Never mind the place, the aim is always the same to encourage normal behaviours.

Theauthor isEvaluationandMonitoringofficerwith CZA and also member of Expert Group on Zoo designing of CZA.

Pho

to c

redi

t: A

AZP

, Van

dalu

r

Bear eating frozen watermelon

Global NewsWAZA highest award Heini Hediger Award 2011 goes to Gordon McGregor Reid

Gordon McGregor Reid is both a zoo man and an academic. He is the author of more than 200 published works including books, peer-reviewedscientificpapersandpopular articles.

Bats get friends

Through October Johannesburg Zoo highlighted the role bats play in the urban environment. “Dispelling the Myth“ & “Urban Bat Conservation”, were the basic themes under which the Zoo hosted events like talks, bat tracking evenings, general bat education and urban conservation of bats.

Primates get a website of their own

Primate Conservation, Inc (PCI) announced the opening of All the World’s Primates website at www.alltheworld primates.org. Based on submissions from conservationists, scientist, photographers, it is a comprehensive resource base for researchers and students.

WAZA nominates NZP

The National Zoological Park New Delhi has been nominated as an institutional member of WAZA. The membership has been sponsored by the Central Zoo Authority.

CZA News

WAZA 2014 - India has been selected as venue for WAZA Conference. The Central Zoo Authority in collaboration with National Zoological Park, New Delhi will be hosting it.

The CBSG Annual Meeting was held in the city of Prague, Czech Republic from 30th September – 2nd October with the focus on “One Plan” approach for integrated species conservation planning. The working groups included strategies education in the “Decade of the Biodiversity”, revised IUCN technical guidelines forex-situmanagement,paradigmshifts needed in the conservation community, and needed tools and processes for intensive population management. During the meeting, charge of the IUCN, SSC, CBSG was also transferred from Mr. Robert Lacy to Ms. Onnie Byers.

The WAZA Conference was held from 2nd to 6th October 2011. Over 200 participants from 40 different countries came together to discuss how to intensify partnerships for sustaining viable animal populations. Over 20 high level presentations from experts around the world, addressed the future situation of animal populations, animal welfare and conservation. During workshops a discussion on the “Decade on Biodiversity” (2011-2020) declared by theUnited Nations was a highlight.Being an Affiliate member ofa global organization WAZA (World Association of Zoos & Aquariums) and Protector in CBSG, Shri B.S. Bonal, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority, attended the Conference. This WAZA Annual Conference was also the occasion to defineits next objectives under 5 main themes declared by the newly elected WAZA President Jörg Junhold who took over from Mr. MarkPenning:-

i) Involvement of all members for the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity.

CBSG & WAZA Annual Conference

15

Landscape Planning and Zoo Designing:

A major agenda of CZA

During the current year, the Central Zoo Authority has organized zoo directors’ workshop on “Land-scape Planning and Zoo Design-ing” at Hyderabad from 2nd – 5th November, 2011 in collaboration with the Nehru Zoological Park, Hydera-bad.Aone-dayback-to-backwork-shop was also organized on 5th November, 2001 on “the issues of Master Planning” at the same place. Around 65 zoo directors/ officersin-charge attended the workshop.Some of the key speakers were Mr. Jon Coe (Australia), Mr. Roger Shermon (USA), Mr. B. C. Choud-hary, Mr. P.C. Tyagi (Dehradun), Sh. S. C. Sharma, Coordinator (Sub-group A), Sh. S. K. Patnaik (Sub-groupB),Sh.R.S.Bhadauria(Sub-group C), Sh. B. S. Bonal, Sh Brij Kishor Gupta (CZA), Prof. Rommel Mehta (Delhi).

Zoo Record Keepers Workshop

In 2009 ISIS and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) of India signed an MOU to provide ISIS membership to 57 zoos and 4 other organisations throughout India. Over the course ofthelastthreeyears,infulfillmentof this monumental agreement, ISIS has worked with CZA to provide a series of training programmes on ARKS and SPARKS software. In continuation a Workshop for the zoo record keepers on ZIMS was organised in Chandigarh from 9th – 13th January, 2012.

CZA grants renewal of recognition to Zoos

The CZA in its 60th meeting of the Technical committee held on 14.12.2011 issued conditional recognition to the following zoos1. Assam State Zoo, Guwahti, (for the period up to 31.12.2015)2. Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysore, Karnataka (for the period up to 31.12.2015)3. Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bangalore, Karnataka (for the period upto 31.12.2015)4. Jaipur Zoo, Jaipur, Rajasthan (for the period up to 31.12.2013)5. Children’s Park-cum-Zoo, Bellary, Karnataka(for the period up to 31.12.2013)6 People for Animals Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka (for the period up to 31.12.2013)7. Great Apollo Circus (for the period up to 31.12.2012)8. Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore, Haryana (for the period up to 31.12.2013)9. V.J.B. Udyan-Zoo Byculla, Mumbai, Maharashtra (for the period up to 31.12.2015)10. Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden, Ahmedabad, Gujarat (for the period up to 31.12.2015)11. Indroda Nature Park, Gandhinagar, Gujarat (for the period up to 31.12.2015)

Workshop for Zoo Architects

An orientation workshop for zoo architects was held at Delhi in collaboration with School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi from 24th February to 26th February 2012.

Zoo Educators Workshop

Zoo educators workshop was held in Bhopal from 27th February – 1st March, 2012 in collaboration with Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal.

Evaluation of Zoos: CZA’s revises questionnaire

A two day workshop was convened atPuneduring6-7thFebruary,2012at Bharathi Vidyapeet University in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park & Wildlife Research Centre and Institute for Environment Education & Research, Bhararthi Vidyapeeth University, Pune. The workshop was funded by the Central Zoo Authority. During the workshop the existing format was reviewed and a revised format was developed with inputs from 34 serving and retired zoo directors, veterinarians, biologists, scientist, landscape architects working with Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly and School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi and members of the Central Zoo Authority. The present questionnaire is developed such that progress made by the zoos since the last renewal of recognition issued by the Central Zoo Authority can be measured by measurable indices.

Workshop at Pune

Workshop on landscape planning and zoo designing, Hyderabad

ii) Commitment of WAZA members to cooperate on the sustainable management of animal populations; iii) Improvement of ethical standards for the future; iv) Further WAZA membership growth with a focus on Asian countries; v)Improvement of WAZA communication outreach

16

CZA approved the

revalidation of the unspent grant of

Rs. 31.83 lakhs for the year 2011-12 under the

establishment of Conservation Breeding

Centre for Vulture at Muta, Ranchi.

CZA approves Layout Plans in 60th meeeting of

Technical Committee

CZA approved the layout plans for the following Zoos1. National Zoological Park, New Delhi2. Assam State Zoo, Guwahati, Assam3. Jodhpur Zoo, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 4. Safari Park, Haridas Ji Ki Magri, Udaipur5. Sepahijala Zoological Park, Sepahijala, Tripura

Judiciary concern for Elephants

As directed by the Trial Court Delhi, CZA has decided that the amount ofRs.50,000/-tobereceivedfromthe accused for ivory trade would be used in the publication of a handbook on elephant upkeep and health in Indian zoos.

CZA encourages scientific research with

LaCONES, CCMB

The technical committee of the CZA approved the proposal of LaCONES, CCMB, Hyderabad to conduct genetic polymorphism studies and research on assisted reproductionforprovidingfinancialassistance ‘in principle’ subject to clarification on the issues of theissues of target animals, techniques and collaborators.

Working Manual on Vulture Breeding

CZA appreciated the working manual on Conservation Breeding of Vultures prepared by Dr. Vibhu Prakash, In-charge, Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore and desired that the same be printed for distribution among the concerned zoos.

Studbooks of selected species project completed

The Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun, has completed the task of preparing studbooks for 14 species. These are: Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Lion Tailed Macaque, Indian Rhino, Hoolock Gibbon, Wild Ass, Gaur, Tibetan wolf, Nilgiri Langur, Wild Dog, Red Panda, Snow leoprad, Clouded leopard, Bhutan grey pheasant

CZA approved a grant of Rs. 89.20 lakhs

for the Conservation Breeding of the Blyth

Trangopan Kohima Zoo,

Nagaland

CZA to have Regional Centres

For effective decentralized evaluation to oversee the functioning/development of zoos four regional centres have been created at Jaipur, Nagpur, Guwahati and Hyderabad. Each regional officeistobeheadedbyaDIGwithsupport staff. The existing staff in the CZA will be strengthened by adding the post of an Evaluation and Monitoring officer, two postsof scientific officers, one post ofEvaluation and Monitoring assistant and one post of Technical assistant. The post of the Member Secretary has also been upgraded from CCF level to Addl PCCF level.

CZA approved Rs. 11.51 lakhs as recurring

expenditure under the Conservation Breeding Programme for Hoolock

Gibbon at Biological Park, Itanagar for the year of

2011-12

Upcoming training programmes

The Central Zoo Authority has decided to organize keepers level training programmes on a regional basis at Sepahijala Zoological Park, Agartala; Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar; Sr i Venkateswara Zoological Park, Tirupati; Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh and Pt. G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo, Nainital.

CZA approves exchange of animals between Indian

Zoos and Foreign Zoos

The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling will soon receive one Snow leopard from Numberg Zoo Germany

Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens Mysore is soon going to send four Sloth Bears to Leipzig Zoo in Germany

The Tata Steel Zoological Park will soon own three African Lions given by the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa Pretoria.

The Royal Zoological Park Scotland will give three Satyr Tragopans, and six Temminick Tragopans to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling.

17

Jayanthi Natarajan ChairpersonMinisterofState(IndependentCharge) (ex-officio)for Environment & Forests, Govt. of India

Secretary to the Government of India, MoEF Member Govt.ofIndia (ex-officio) Director General of Forests & Special Secretary MemberMoEF,Govt.ofIndia (ex-officio) Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife), MemberandDirector,WildlifePreservation (ex-officio)MoEF, Govt. of India

Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor MemberMoEF,Govt.ofIndia (ex-officio) Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute MemberBareilly,UttarPradesh (ex-officio)

Director,Wildlife Institute of India MemberDehradun,Uttarakhand (ex-officio)

S. K. Patnaik Member Retd. Chief Wildlife Warden Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

Dr. Erach K. Bharucha MemberDirector, Bharti Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and ResearchPune, Maharashtra

Kartick Satyanarayan MemberWildlife SOS, New Delhi

Dr. Vibhu Prakash MemberBombay Natural History Society

Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority Member Secretary

Administrative Committee of the CZA

Director General of Forests & Special Secretary ChairpersonMoEF, Govt. of India

Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife) Memberand Director, Wildlife PreservationMoEF, Govt. Of India

Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor MemberMoEF, Govt. of India

Joint Secretary (Admn) MemberMoEF, Govt. of India

Member Secretary,Central Zoo Authority ConvenorNew Delhi

Technical Committee of the CZA

Jagdish Kishwan ChairpersonAdditionalDirectorGeneralofForests(Wildlife) (ex-officio)and Director, Wildlife Preservation MoEF, Govt. of India

Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor MemberMoEF,Govt.ofIndia (ex-officio)

Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute MemberBareilly,UttarPradesh (ex-officio)

Director, Wildlife Institute of India MemberDehradun,Uttarakhand (ex-officio)

S. K. Patnaik MemberRetd. Chief Wildlife Warden Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

Central Zoo Authority (Governing Body)Reconstituted (7th time) for a period of three years videGazette Notification No. 2177 dated 18th October 2010

Dr. Erach K. Bharucha, MemberDirector, Bharti Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and Research,Pune, Maharashtra.

Kartick Satyanarayan, MemberWildlife SOS, New Delhi

Dr. Vibhu Prakash, MemberBombay Natural History Society.

Member Secretary, Central Zoo authority MemberNew Delhi. Secretary

Expert Group on Zoo Designing

S. C. Sharma Member Retd, Addl. DGF (WL)New Delhi

S. K. Patnaik Member Retd. CWLW (WL), Government of Odisha

R.S. Bhadauria, IFS MemberRetd. PCCF (Uttar Pradesh)

A. S. Dogra MemberRetd. PCCF (Punjab)

Kartick Satyanarayan, MemberWildlife S.O.S, New Delhi

Prof. (Dr.) Surinder Suneja Member School of Planning & Architecture

Prof. (Dr.) Rommel Mehta MemberSchool of Planning & ArchitectureNew Delhi

CCU (Chief Engineer) MemberMoEF, New Delhi

Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta Member Zoo Biologist, Greater Noida

Himanshu Malhotra Member Environmentalist, Wildlife FilmmakerNew Delhi

Dr. A. K. Malhotra MemberFormer Curator, Delhi Zoo

Prof. M. Shaheer MemberRetd. ProfessorSchool of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi

Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority, ConvenorNew Delhi

Expert Group on Conservation Breeding

B.S. Bonal Member/Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority ConvenorNew Delhi

Director, MemberWildlife Institute of India,Dehradun (Uttarakhand)

Dr. B. R. Sharma MemberFormer Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority

Dr. Vibhu Prakash MemberPrincipal Scientist, Bombay Natural History Society

Dr. Gautam Narayan MemberProjectOfficer,PigmyHogConservationProgramme

Special Invitee

Kartick Satyanarayan Wildlife S.O.S, New Delhi

18

Designed and printed by SKM Wildlife Conservation Foundation for Central Zoo AuthorityC-50 Defence Colony, New Delhi-110024, Tel: 2433000, 9811184099, email: skmwildlife@gmail.com

Working team: Punkaj Malhotra, Tapan Ghosh, Sukriti Sobti (Design)

Central Zoo AuthoritydsUnzh; fpfM+;k?kj izkf/kdj.k

(Statutory Body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests)Bikaner House, Annexe VI, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110011, IndiaPhone: 011-23381585, 23073072, 23070375, Fax: 91-11-23386012

email: cza@nic.in, website: www.cza.nic.in

Map not to scale The status of zoos as on 31st January 2012