Mumbai: 40 animals died in 2022-23 at Byculla Zoo, mostly from heart disease

As many as 40 animals and birds died during the period 2022-23 in the Veermata Jijabai Bhosle Zoological Museum (Ranichi Baug) of Byculla, according to the annual report. This information comes from a report published by the Central Zoological Museum Authority. The Watchdog Foundation has demanded an inquiry into this matter. Meanwhile, the Zoological Museum administration has claimed that the animals died naturally according to their age and the death rate has not increased.

The annual report revealed that 40 animals and birds of various species died in the Zoological Museum of Byculla during 2022-23. This report is published by the Central Zoological Museum Authority (CZA). The Watchdog Foundation has requested Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner (BMC) Iqbal Singh Chahal to look into this case and inquire whether the death rate has increased, why so many animals died, and what caused them to die.

Pimenta Godfrey and Nicolas Almeida of the NGO have also written to the CZA. The foundation alleged that the dead animals included endangered species. According to this report, many animals died due to cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, multiple organ failure. He has demanded an inquiry into the death of the animals. Among the dead animals are spotted deer, barking deer, mule, macaw parrots, turtles.

Meanwhile, the Director of Jijamata Bhosle Zoo Dr. Sanjay Tripathi said that this death rate in zoological museums is very common. There are more than four hundred animals and birds in the Zoological Museum. Old age is the main cause of animal deaths.