Nandankanan lacks health infrastructure

BHUBANESWAR: Amid uproar over the frequent animal deaths, calls for improvement in the animal healthcare infrastructure in the Nandankanan Zoological Park and smaller zoos in the State have begun to get shriller. Each and every facility housing precious wildlife and animal species should have adequate infrastructure and qualified animal healthcare personnel to provide proper services and treatment to the ailing creatures in time and preventing deaths. According to Animal Rescue and Maintenance Youths (ARMY) organisation, there is no proper facility for providing pre-birth and post-birth care to the pregnant animals at Nandankanan Zoo. There is also no proper weaning care which has resulted in high number of infant mortality in the zoo. According to the Central Zoo Authority Rules 2009, every large zoo should have one curator, two wildlife specialist veterinarians, one education officer, one biologist with support staff and para-veterinarians. Animal behaviourists should be appointed to observe each and every pregnant animal.  “The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun, provides extensive courses in Wildlife Management and Medicine. But unfortunately such qualified vets and biologists have not been posted at Nandankanan. There are no wildlife refuges in the districts or forest offices in the State,” Managing Trustee Sangram Parida alleged. He said in the recent past one Giraffe died due to electrocution during transit from Alipore Zoo to Nandankanan Zoo and rare animal species like Manipur deer have died due to stress during transportation. “Therefore, there should be proper training of all zoo staff and attendants in every aspect of animal care. Stringent action should be taken against the erring officials or staff,” Parida said.