Latest news with #CentralZooAuthority
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
PMC seeks withdrawal of offence in wildlife orphanage case citing administrative oversight
Two years after a forest offence was registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has formally requested the forest department to withdraw the case filed against its zoo director and other officials. The PMC maintains that the irregularities observed at the now-defunct wildlife orphanage were administrative lapses—not deliberate violations. In a letter dated May 30, the PMC also requested the return of a four-horned antelope and a jackal that were seized by the forest department during an inspection in June 2023. The civic body noted that it has since secured retrospective approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for housing these animals, granted on December 8, 2023. The case stems from an April 2023 inspection by the forest department at the Wildlife Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WARRC), operated by the Indian Herpetological Society (IHS) under a formal agreement with the PMC. Inspectors found several violations, including unauthorized long-term housing of wild animals, failure to obtain CZA permissions for breeding, and inadequate documentation. Following the inspection, a forest offence was registered on September 14, 2023, against zoo director Rajkumar Jadhav under Sections 2(16-G), 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. In its communication to the forest department, the PMC emphasized that the day-to-day operations of the orphanage were managed by the IHS, which was responsible for animal care, record-keeping, and coordination with authorities. The PMC argued that the violations were procedural oversights by the NGO, not intentional misconduct by civic officials. Citing a standing committee resolution dated February 9, 2024, the PMC noted it has officially shut down the wildlife orphanage and ended its association with IHS. Now that the matter is 'regularized,' the PMC has urged the forest department to withdraw the case and permit the return of the seized animals to the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Jadhav said, 'The irregularities occurred inadvertently, and no intentional harm was done to the animals. We have since obtained all required permissions from the Central Zoo Authority. As we were not directly responsible for the orphanage's management, I believe the case against me should be withdrawn.' Mahadev Mohite, deputy conservator of forest, Pune division, acknowledged the administrative nature of the violations. He said, 'The offence mainly pertains to record-keeping lapses. No animal cruelty or intentional harm was found. Since the matter involves the zoo, we will ask the PMC to submit its report to the Maharashtra Zoo Authority (MZA), which is the competent body to decide the next course of action.' However, Aditya Paranjape, wildlife warden, Pune forest department, stressed the need for accountability. 'Irregularities were identified and a case was registered. Someone must take responsibility, and appropriate action should be taken against the concerned authority or individual,' he said. IHS began its involvement with the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune around 2008, when it took on the management of the zoo's WARRC. For approximately 15 years, IHS collaborated closely with the zoo's wildlife unit, focusing on the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of reptiles and other wildlife found in urban areas. Meanwhile, the forest department's newly constructed Transit Treatment Centre (TTC), which replaces the orphanage, is now operational and reportedly running under stricter oversight.
Hans India
6 days ago
- General
- Hans India
IGZP celebrates ‘World Dhole Day'
Visakhapatnam: Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam, celebrated 'World Dhole Day' here on Wednesday. Engaging students, a drawing competition was held at the zoo. The celebration aimed at raising awareness about the endangered Dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asiatic wild dog, and its critical role in maintaining ecological balance. Students unlocked their creativity and brought a number of artworks to life, some of them highlighted the habitats of Asiatic wild dogs also known as dholes. Through the event, participants also learned about the importance of dhole conservation and the species' presence in the enclosures of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, said curator of the zoo G. Mangamma. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is one of the soos in the country identified by the Central Zoo Authority to take up planned coordinated conservation breeding of endangered Asiatic Wild dogs in captivity with certain recommendations for conservation breeding initiatives. Technical guidance from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Lacones, Hyderabad are taken in collaboration with other Universities for monitoring the populations, making necessary technical inputs when required, including training of the zoo personnel. Conservation breeding facility in the form of an off-display centre will be created for scientifically breeding wild dogs in IGZP, Visakhapatnam.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Birsa Munda Zoo eyes lion pair from Chhattisgarh
Ranchi: Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park in Ormanjhi is trying to bring a lion and lioness from Nandanvan Zoo Raipur in Chhattisgarh following the death of its lone lioness earlier this week, officials said on Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Priyanka, a 15-year-old lioness brought from Bannerghatta Zoo in Bengaluru in 2014, died of an infection on Wednesday. Priyanka, zoo officials said, was a crossbreed of Asiatic and African lions. At present, the zoo has Shashank, an ageing male lion. Zoo veterinarian Dr Om Prakash Sahu said, "The authorities are in discussion with the counterparts in Raipur Zoo to bring the pair of lions under animal exchange programme. Although the paperwork has not yet been finished, we are hoping the pair will be brought to the zoo within two months. We will exchange the lion pair with a hyena, crocodile and deer." The vet said whether the lion pair will be used for display or breeding purposes has not been finalised yet. The move, however, must be approved by the Central Zoo Authority. Autopsy report of Priyanka revealed that she died of bacterial infection in her uterus. "She suddenly fell ill on Wednesday afternoon, and her health started to deteriorate. As soon as we learnt about it, she was provided with medical attention at the zoo. However, she died despite our efforts at night on the same day. Later, after a post-mortem examination, she was cremated at the zoo's mortuary," vet Sahu added. Dr M K Gupta, veterinary pathologist of Birsa Agriculture University, who conducted the post-mortem examination, told TOI that it is a common phenomenon of female animals contracting uterus infection, and it is often hard to detect even until it reaches advanced stages. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "However, precautionary measures such as keeping organic wastes out of the animal's reach can prevent such infections, and that is duly taken care of at Birsa Zoo. Despite that, animals sometimes contract infections as they are exposed the natural environment," Gupta said, adding that on average, hybrid lions live up to 17-18 years on an average. Before Priyanka's death in December last year, another lioness, Jaya, died due to kidney failure in December 2024.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Lioness dies at Ranchi biological park, had low immunity due to ‘hybrid lineage', officials say
A lioness died on Wednesday night, likely due to an infection, at the Birsa Munda Biological Park in Ranchi, officials said. The 15-year-old lioness, named Priyanka, was attended to by the park's in-house veterinarian, Dr Omprakash Sahu, after it was found in a deteriorated condition. However, it died during treatment. Jabbar Singh, the director of the biological park based in Ranchi's Ormanjhi area, said the lioness likely died due to an internal infection, although no major symptoms were detected before her death. Singh said the animal, born in 2010, was a 'hybrid' lioness — a cross between African and Asian lineages. 'Such animals generally have weaker immunity and shorter lifespans,' he said. The lioness had been brought from the Bannerghatta National Park in Bengaluru in 2014. Singh noted that during the postmortem, a significant amount of fluid was found inside the lioness's body, which doctors believe was linked to the infection. The biological park now houses one male lion, which also has a hybrid lineage. 'An exchange has been approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), and we are expecting to bring in a new pair from Raipur's Jungle Safari in Chhattisgarh within a week or so,' Singh said. Shashikar Samanta, Jharkhand's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), said the exact cause of death would be confirmed only after he personally inspects the postmortem report. 'They are saying it was due to some infection, but I won't comment until I see the report myself,' he said. Samanta said hybrid lions often lack reproductive capability and tend to have weaker immune systems. 'She was around 15-16 years old, so she had nearly completed her lifespan,' he said. According to officials, the postmortem was conducted on Thursday under the supervision of Dr M K Gupta from Ranchi Veterinary College. Other officials and staff of the biological park were also present during the postmortem. The preliminary report confirmed that the lioness died due to a uterine infection. Samples of various organs have been sent for further examination to determine the precise nature of the infection. Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India. Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers' unions. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Jharkhand's first tiger safari in Latehar on the lines of Rajgir in Bihar soon
RANCHI: Elated with increasing number of tigers in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), Jharkhand government has started taking initiatives to open the state's first tiger safari on the lines of Rajgir in Bihar. According to officials, the survey has already been completed and required land has been identified in the forests of Putuagarh under PTR's Barwadih Western Forest Range. A tiger safari typically involves driving through protected areas such as national parks and tiger reserves to spot tigers. The officials also informed that after getting a formal nod from state government, the proposal will be sent to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for approval. 'The tourism minister expressed his desire to open a tiger safari in Jharkhand on the lines of Rajgir in Bihar. We have identified the required land near PTR in the forests of Putuagarh near PTR which has been Okayed by the minister,' said PTR Deputy Director Prajesh Kant Jena. As per official records, six tigers have been spotted wandering in the PTR and their number is supposed to increase further in the wake of the measures taken by the officials to improve the tiger count.
