Tigers, Elephant Examined at Patna Zoo
TNN, Jun 27, 2010, 04.52am IST
For information about white tigers: http://bigcatrescue.org/cats/wild/white_tigers.htm
PATNA: A health advisory committee, a panel to advise zoo administration on the hygiene, nutrition, health and treatment of animals, examined the health and general upkeep of the animals in the Patna zoo on Saturday.
The committee also examined tiger Ram, tigress Sita and elephant Mala. According to zoo director Abhay Kumar, Ram has been suffering from posterior paresis for quite sometime and has also a wound for years now. The tiger has not been on display for last three months and has continuously been kept under treatment.
“All efforts are being made to improve the big cat’s health. We have also increased the size of the cubicle where it sleeps. A water channel has been constructed to provide a bigger space and better living conditions to it,” said Kumar.
The zoo has currently one pair of yellow tiger and one white tigress, Sita. Sita, despite her old age, is maintaining a normal health.
“We are in talks with the Junagarh and Hyderabad zoos to bring a pair of tigers by the end of this year,” said Kumar.
Mala has a wound at the left shoulder joint since long. Till a few years back, children have had the pleasure of a joyride on its back.
After the Central Zoo Authority (CZA)-New Delhi banned keeping elephants in the zoo, two elephants from the Patna zoo were sent to the Valmiki Tiger Reserve where they are used for patrolling purposes. However, the zoo administration intends to retain Mala due to her poor health, and a request to the effect has been sent to the CZA.
The health panel found the arrangements for handling possible health problems due to extreme summer conditions quite satisfactory. There has not been any casualty due to heat wave this year, the director said.
The committee, however, recommended increase in space and construction of night houses for rhinos, monkeys and gharials. Other suggestions include planting of elephant grass in the elephant enclosure, purchase of a new tranquilliser gun, construction of an autopsy room and installation of an incinerator for disposal of unhygienic waste.
Headed by Dr Ali Ahmad Khan, the panel members included Dr Mithilesh Kumar, Dr Pallav Shekhar, Dr Lala Naresh Prasad, Dr Madan Prasad, Dr Anoop Agrawal and Dr Ajeet Kumar.
