The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced plans to expand the Byculla zoo's penguin enclosure after they could not find a new home for the increasing family of penguins. The current penguin cage will be enlarged to accommodate 18 penguins.
BMC also announced a state-of-the-art tunnel aquarium in Byculla Zoo. The tunnel aquarium will require an investment of INR 60 crore. These new attractions will be open to the public by next year. The aquarium will be constructed adjacent to the penguin enclosure.
The highlight of the expansion is the tunnel aquarium. Initially proposed in 2022, the project faced delays due to the prioritisation of another aquarium that was announced in Worli by Aaditya Thackeray, then tourism minister. However, with the Worli project cancelled, the tunnel aquarium has received a green light.
Reports suggest that the aquarium would feature two walk-through acrylic tunnels and a dome-shaped entrance. One tunnel will showcase coral fish, while the other will display deep-sea species. The civic body will apply the tunnel aquarium concept, cylinder tunnels, and electrical display sections in a miniature version of larger aquariums. A life-saving system with a 10 lakh-litre capacity will be constructed too.
The new attractions are part of BMC's efforts to enhance educational and conservation experiences at the zoo. Last year, an underwater gallery with crocodiles and alligators was introduced, setting a new standard for zoos in India.
The expansion comes amidst concerns over animal mortality rates at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan. A recent report highlighted the deaths of several animals due to cardiac shock and other illnesses. 29 of the 47 animals and birds that passed away between April 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023, perished from cardiac shocks.
In October 2016, three male and five female penguins were transported from Coex Aquarium in Seoul by Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and the zoo (Rani Baug). The number of penguins has since climbed to 18 due to births within the last seven years. Currently, two tigers, eighteen Humboldt penguins, and aquatic crocodiles are kept at the Byculla Zoo.
Also Read: 40 animals died in 2022-23 at Byculla Zoo, mostly from heart disease
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