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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
15-year-old male gaur dies at Delhi Zoo, played key role in breeding efforts
A 15-year-old male Indian gaur which played a critical role in the breeding programme at the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi died Sunday morning due to age-related issues, officials informed. The gaur had been kept under special care inside a holding cell over the past few days as its health condition began to decline. The animal was brought to Delhi Zoo from the Mysuru Zoo in 2014 as part of a conservation exchange and went on to become a dominant breeding bull in the enclosure. 'It had been under observation and veterinary care for the past few days. Unfortunately, it passed away this morning due to senility,' said Dr Sanjeet Kumar, director, Delhi Zoo. 'The gaur was one of our most significant contributors to the captive breeding programme. More than 75 per cent of the 15 gaurs currently housed in NZP are its direct progeny.' Zoo authorities have said that samples from the deceased animal will be sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) for further investigation to rule out any underlying health issue. The Indian gaur, also known as the Indian bison, is the largest extant bovine species and is classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List. Dr Kumar said the zoo will continue to prioritise the health and genetic diversity of the gaur population through its conservation and breeding practices. Meanwhile, the Delhi Zoo has proposed a new adoption scheme that will allow visitors to adopt animals for periods as short as a 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, according to 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,' Dr Kumar said earlier.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
15-year-old gaur dies of age-related complications at Delhi zoo
A 15-year-old male gaur at the Delhi zoo died in the early hours of Sunday due to age-related complications, officials said. The animal had been brought to Delhi from Mysore Zoo in 2014 and was under close observation for the past few days inside an enclosure meant for animals under treatment. 'The animal was being kept in the care cell and monitored by our veterinary team. It passed away due to natural causes associated with old age. The gaur had made a significant contribution to the breeding of the species here. Around 75% of the 15 gaurs currently at the Delhi Zoo are his progeny,' Sanjeet Kumar, Delhi zoo director, said. Kumar added that samples from the deceased animal have been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for further examination and confirmation of the cause of death. Native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of southeast Asia, the gaur is the largest extant bovine species and is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It is classified as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to habitat loss and poaching. Outrage over animal treatment amid rising heat With the temperatures in the city remaining high in the past days, alleged images of two elephants at the Delhi Zoo, in chains and taking shelter under a shed at the enclosure have been shared widely on social media. Kumar, however, said the elephants were well cared for and the chains were precautionary. 'They are kept under a cement-concrete shed as well as under trees. There is also an earth and sand mound provided for them,' Kumar said, adding that the elephants are bathed three times a day, and are taken by their caretakers to both a mud pond and a water-filled cement pool. 'Whenever Heera, our male elephant, enters the pre-musth stage, we take additional precautions,' he said. On the issue of chains, Kumar added, 'A light, long chain is used purely for the safety of both the mahawat and the elephant.'
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.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Delhi zoo revises norms to allow 1-day adoptions
The Delhi zoo authorities are working to revise their animal adoption policy to get more residents' involvement in wildlife conservation and to allow for cheaper and shorter adoptions, officials said, adding that the new policy is likely to be rolled out this year. The idea, they said, is to make the process affordable even for visitors who wish to take animals home for a single day — to celebrate birthdays or other occasions. 'The number of people adopting animals at present is fairly low. We are looking to change that. The idea is to make the process of adoption simpler, with people being able to adopt animals for much shorter periods — of one month, three months, six months and even a single day. Earlier, they could only do it for one or two years. Visitors may adopt an animal on their birthday. Similarly, we will encourage people to adopt animals when it is the birthday of an animal at our zoo,' Sanjeet Kumar, director of the zoo, said. The animal adoption programme, launched in 2022, was initially aimed at helping fund the upkeep of animals through contributions by individuals, companies and institutions. Adopters were allowed to support an animal for a minimum of one year, with incentives such as membership cards, a certificate, monthly visits, and signages featuring their name near the animal enclosure. Despite the benefits, zoo officials admit the uptake has been limited, with only a handful of animals — including a white tiger, an elephant, rhinos, and a few exotic birds — having been adopted under the scheme so far. Kumar said the reason for lack of participation could be the high adoption fee and that a revamped fee structure is in the works. 'We will divide the animals and birds into four to five categories and define a standardised fee for adoption. The one-day adoption fees will start at ₹100 or ₹500 — based on the category of the animal. At present, ₹600 is the lowest fee for adoption and it goes up to ₹6 lakh,' he said. Further, the zoo is also exploring possibilities of making adoption contributions eligible for income tax exemption, which could be part of the revised policy rollout expected later this year. Spread across 176 acres, the Delhi zoo was inaugurated in 1959 and is home to over 1,100 animals representing nearly 95 species, including endangered ones like the Asiatic Lion, one-horned rhinoceros, and Indian wolf. HT had recently reported how the zoo is also preparing for a larger revamp, with officials finalising plans for a multi-crore upgradation focused on improved animal habitats and visitor facilities, which includes glass walls and natural enclosures.
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Saving endangered species, one DNA sample at a time: Here is Delhi Zoo's new conservation plan
Eyeing long-term conservation and research projects, the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi is exploring the possibility of setting up an on-site wildlife biobank in collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. The proposed facility is expected to collect and preserve genetic material — DNA, tissues, reproductive cells — from animals at the zoo. The initiative is part of a broader effort led by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to strengthen ex-situ conservation in Indian zoos. The biobank at the zoo in the Capital is expected to follow a model already implemented at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling, which became the first to establish such a facility under the initiative earlier this year. While the process is in its early stages, officials involved in the project said the proposed biobank in the city could contribute to building a national repository of genetic material for conservation science. The samples collected are intended strictly for research and regulated breeding purposes, under the supervision of the CZA and CCMB, as third-party usage requires explicit approval. In 2021, the Delhi zoo was among six zoos that had been identified by the CZA to join the Consortium of Indian Zoos for Biobanking of Wildlife Genetic Resources under a pilot project. The programme was built on a tripartite agreement signed in 2019 between the CZA, CCMB-LaCONES (Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species), and the selected zoos. Under this agreement, zoos, including Delhi's NZP, have been encouraged to collect biological samples from deceased animals, as well as from live animals during health interventions, for submission to the National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank (NWGRB) at the CCMB's laboratory. 'We are roping in CCMB for biobanking. This will help us preserve DNA, tissues, organs, and gametes of endangered or vulnerable species. The cells will be taken from dead animals and kept in a cold storage facility,' said Dr Sanjeet Kumar, Director, National Zoological Park. 'This will help preserve the genetic pool for future conservation and research…' According to scientists at CCMB, while this can be done on all animals, endangered or endemic species will be in focus. As per the October-December 2024 quarterly inventory report of the National Zoological Park, it is home to several endangered species listed under Schedules I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These include the Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, Indian Rhinoceros (Greater One-Horned Rhino), Sloth Bear, Lion-tailed Macaque, Indian Wolf, Indian Bison (Gaur), Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog), Eld's Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Himalayan Black Bear, Marsh Crocodile, Gharial, Indian Rock Python, and Spectacled Cobra. At present, samples collected from zoos are sent to the CCMB facility in Hyderabad. According to officials, this has posed logistical challenges. 'Bringing samples to the CCMB facility after postmortem is a challenge. They need to be preserved within four hours. That's the reason for the need for localised facilities,' Dr Govindha-swamy Umapathy, Chief Scientist, the CCMB, told The Indian Express. When asked why the biobanks have not been established yet, Umapathy said, 'Very simple technology is enough and sufficient; however, management-level hurdles in different zoos have caused a delay in creating such facilities.' As per the agreement, the CZA has committed financial support for participating zoos to establish infrastructure, such as cold storage rooms. CCMB-LaCONES, acting as the technical partner, has been providing training for zoo veterinarians, biologists, and staff on collection, preservation, and transport of samples. 'As per the MoU, we have regularly trained zoo directors, veterinarians and scientists on the effective usage of modern technology, which includes bio-banking,' Umapathy added. Dr Kumar, meanwhile, said the pandemic as well as staff shortage has meant that such conservation initiatives have been delayed. Increased focus on research and conservation studies is also part of the Delhi Zoo's modernisation plan, he added.
