Officials at Mumbai’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo, recently announced that the premises will soon have two pairs of zebras which will be procured from Israel-based Ramat Gan Safari Park. Approval for the same has been sought from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and the contract was awarded to Goatrade Farming Company Limited from Thailand which will also transport these animals to the popular Byculla zoo.
Park authorities had earlier collaborated with the firm to procure Humboldt penguins. Officials from the zoo have confirmed that the zebras are being procured for Gujarat-based Sakkarbaug Zoological Park and Indore-based Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya. Asiatic lions will be sent to the zoo in return.
Talks about this project began between the zoos in 2019, and since the Byculla Zoo does not have the animals, authorities can exchange the same under the barter system as listed under Schedule I and II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Also Read: Byculla Zoo Greets Two New Penguin Chicks
Earlier last year, the officials brought a pair of Bengal tigers from Aurangabad’s zoo and currently the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planned a renovation of the zoo. Besides this, the authorities have also brought other animals like a sloth bear, leopard, jackal, etc. for the zoo, for which facilities have been created and maintained regularly. Similar plans have been made for the zebras too which will soon be brought once the necessary facilities are made and checked thoroughly. Meanwhile, the officials had earlier planned to bring animals like Wallaby, Black Jaguar, and more.
As per plans, the civic body plans to add another 10 acres of land to the zoo, and this project is being implemented at a cost of INR 200 crore. Enclosures are being constructed on the existing land which will have the above-mentioned animals along with sambars, turtle, zebras, barking deer, nilgai, otters, etc.
On the other hand, BMC had issued tender worth INR 15.26 crore for upkeep of penguins at Byculla Zoo. Congress leader had slammed the move and expressed his objection to spend more amount on the penguins.
Also Read: Opposition Alleges Cover-Up Of Tender Debacle On Maintenance Of Penguins Enclosure At Byculla Zoo
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