Ludhiana Zoo to promote animal adoption

Ludhiana, January 22

First it was Covid and now it is bird flu that has made going tough for the Ludhiana zoo.

The earnings of the zoo have been affected to a large extent due to these problems. To overcome the losses, the zoo authorities are now promoting and encouraging animal adoption.

Earlier, a few charitable trusts, schools and colleges had adopted animals and birds, but no animal has been adopted this financial year.

“Last year went really tough due to Covid and the zoo was shut during the lockdown. From this year, we were encouraging people for animal adoption, but nobody has approached us so far and we are also busy with the bird flu precautionary measures,” said district forest officer (Wildlife), Neeraj Gupta.

Narinder Singh, in charge, Ludhiana zoo, said the zoo had an income of approximately Rs 35 lakh per month and during the lockdown, there was no visitor for nine months and, hence, no income was generated.

At present, there are three slots going in for the visitors. We daily have 100-150 visitors these days. “Visitors are asked to maintain a minimum distance due to bird flu,” he said. — TNS