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Satinder Pal Singh
Zirakpur, September 11
The Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park also known as Chhatbir zoo has generated Rs 9.8 lakh during the past two years through its animal adoption programme. The zoo authorities allow residents to adopt animals and birds by paying adoption fee.
The officials said there was renewed enthusiasm about the programme since its inception in 2010.They said the amount earned would be spent only to feed animals at the zoo.
The officials said most of the people adopted animals not for long-term but for short-term for a period ranging from one month to six months. They said preferences ranged from deer, leopard cat, peacock and Bengal tiger, among others.
The officials added that there was no shortage of people adopting black buck, ove, owl, cockatoo, duck and other species. “Deer are generally adopted on astrologers’ advice, ostensibly to ward off the ill-effects of certain planets, while birds do not cost much,” said the zoo officials.
M Saudagar, Director, Chhatbir zoo, said, during the past two years, people adopted 149 animals and the zoo authorities were able to collect Rs 9.8 lakh. He said the money collected has been spent on formulating strategies for conservation of animals.
He said they were now focusing to open an Animal Adoption Awareness Centre at the zoo where one can find details, including animals available for adoption and fee, besides other queries.
Saudagar said the zoo recently acquired a lion, a lioness and a white tigress from Rajkot zoo, Gujarat. The new members have been kept under observation in quarantine for a month.
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