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Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Delhi Zoo mulls one-day animal adoption scheme to expand outreach
The National Zoological Park in Delhi has proposed a new adoption scheme that would allow visitors to adopt animals for as short as a single day. The plan, currently awaiting approval, aims to replace the zoo's existing year-long adoption model with more flexible options, including monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and daily terms, as per the zoo officials. 'At present, the adoption is only available for a one-year term and involves a formal stamp paper agreement. We are proposing changes that would allow people to adopt animals for a shorter duration, from a single day to a few months…on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and yearly basis,' said Dr Sanjeet Kumar, Delhi Zoo Director. He added, 'The aim is to simplify the procedure…reduce the entry barrier and broaden the scope of participation for adoption benefits.' In Indian zoos, 'adoption' is not a transfer of custody or ownership. The animal is not taken home or taken into legal possession. Instead, the adopter contributes money towards the care of the zoo animal— similar to a voluntary sponsorship or donation. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) doesn't explicitly mention 'adoption' in the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009 and the CZA's Guidelines for Scientific Management of Zoos. However, it is encouraged for public engagement. As per an official CZA document, 'In addition to educational programmes, zoos need support for upkeep of animals and enclosures, conservation efforts, science and recreation missions.' It added, 'Corporate sponsorship and support are important in these areas. Corporates are offered a range of activities and programmes which they can choose to support. These may range from a specific animal or exhibit to funding research or conservation projects.' At present, the Delhi Zoo's adoption programme requires a minimum commitment of one year, formalised after entering into an agreement with the zoo management. The scheme, launched in the pandemic year 2022, allows the public, animal lovers, corporates, celebrities and educational institutions to adopt animals by contributing to their food, medical care, and upkeep. 'Through this scheme, the zoos shall be in more direct public contact with enhanced accountability.' Annual fees vary depending on the species — from Rs 700 for birds to Rs 6 lakh for elephants. In return, adopters receive benefits such as an adoption membership card, certificate, visit permit, and name featured in signage in front of the animal's enclosure. The current scheme, while open to individuals, has so far seen greater uptake from corporate donors, as per zoo officials. However, the scheme calls for adopters to use it as 'a great gift of adopted animals for birthdays or anniversaries to family members of friends, children or relatives.' Meanwhile, the revised plan envisions significantly lower adoption fees for short durations, starting at Rs 100 to around Rs 500 for a one-day adoption of smaller animals, said zoo officials. By introducing short-term and lower-cost options, the zoo hopes to draw in more citizens, added Dr Kumar. 'The plan is still at the proposal stage…Complete details of the adoption scheme can be clarified only after the necessary approvals,' he said.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
How Delhi zoo is hand-rearing a lion cub after celebrating the birth of its first litter in 16 years
At the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi, a newborn female Asiatic lion cub is now at the centre of a delicate rescue effort. The veterinary staff has been working around the clock to hand-rear the cub after it was found to be weak and neglected by its mother. Nestled in a temperature-controlled enclosure within the zoo hospital, the newborn is being fed kitten milk replacer, a special milk formula, every two hours and it is beginning to respond well to intensive care, senior zoo officials told The Indian Express on Wednesday. Born on Sunday as part of a rare litter of four—the first in 16 years at the Delhi zoo—the cub initially remained with its mother, five-year-old Mahagauri. The next day, however, it was moved to the zoo hospital after showing signs of weakness. 'Presently, hand-rearing of the lion cub is ongoing at the zoo hospital of NZP. The cub is stabilising and responding well for now. She is on kitten milk replacer, which is being given every two hours, and remains under continuous monitoring,' said Dr Abhijit Bhawal, veterinary officer at the Delhi Zoo. The process is not new for the zoo authorities as they have previously hand-reared tiger cubs as well. Additionally, the cub's body weight is being continuously monitored. 'The cub was born on April 27 along with three others. Unfortunately, one was underdeveloped and did not survive. The current cub under care was shifted to the hospital after she was found weak and unattended by the mother. The remaining two cubs are with the lioness and are doing well,' added Bhawal. Dr Sanjeet Kumar, director of the zoo, listed to The Indian Express the parameters that are being monitored: daily body weight and other vitals, fixing quantity of milk per feed and interval of feeding, pre-feeding and post-feeding protocols, and sampling of faeces. The Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009, laid down by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), mandates a nursery for the hand-rearing of animal infants in recognised zoos. As per a CZA publication titled 'Hand rearing of wild mammals in captivity', 'Hand rearing practice generally includes some basic arrangement like provision of sanitation, warm environment, a suitable feeding regimen, attention to excretions (emptying of the bowels) and general health.' 'From record-keeping and physical examinations to intensive care, sanitation, housing, and providing the appropriate milk formula, managing infants — especially of large mammal species — is both challenging and highly time-sensitive,' said Bhawal. There are species-specific protocols for hand-rearing, as per CZA. Intervention by veterinarians and zookeepers is carried out only if necessary, as the primary focus remains on minimal human interference. The cubs are fathered by Maheshwar, a male lion brought to the zoo in an animal exchange programme from Gujarat's Sakkarbaug Zoo in 2021.
