New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) Zebras and giraffes are set to make a long-awaited return to the Delhi zoo, with the animals expected to be brought from an African country after new specialised, glass-fronted enclosures were constructed for them as part of a major modernisation plan.
The striped zebra has been absent from the zoo for nearly 15 years, while giraffes have not been seen there for around 11 years. An official said both species are part of the zoo’s current and future animal collection plan and will be introduced only after their enclosures are ready.
He said, “Zebra and giraffe are expected to come from an African country and the animals will be brought to the zoo only after their species-specific glass enclosures are constructed.” The modernisation plan envisages creating a larger collection of wildlife and introducing modern facilities for both animals and visitors. The zoo currently has around 93 species, while the plan is to increase the number to about 109, he mentioned.
The zoo’s last zebra died on April 30, 2011, while its last giraffe, named Ankit, died in June 2015 after suffering a heart attack, according to the official. The zoo had more than 130 species around three decades ago, but the number has since declined to around 93 species, comprising nearly 1,245 animals.
The proposed collection would include zebras and giraffes as well as cheetahs, New World monkeys and mouse deer. The plan is aimed at diversifying the zoo’s collection and providing visitors an opportunity to see species that have not been housed there for several years, he shared.
According to the official, both options for acquiring exotic animals would be explored in the future. Such animals are expected to be brought mainly through gifts or exchanges with foreign zoos, while other species could also be sourced from zoos within the country and abroad. Around Rs 3.75 crore has been earmarked for bringing animals from different zoos in India and abroad, the official said. The move is part of a broader modernisation exercise for which an expenditure of around Rs 400 crore has been approved.
A key feature of the modernisation plan is the proposed use of laminated glass in several animal enclosures, the official said. Species-specific enclosure designs are being planned, with glass frontage envisaged to allow visitors a clearer view of animals while maintaining an appropriate safety barrier.
The glass will be used at selected enclosures, including those for lions, tigers, leopards, bears and wolves, among others, he said.
The laminated glass will provide visitors with a closer visual experience while ensuring that animals remain separated from them, he said, and added that the design will also take into account the behavioural and habitat requirements of individual species rather than adopting a common enclosure model for all animals.
The official said moats and other safety measures are also proposed around several enclosures. Moats will be constructed or improved around enclosures for animals such as lions, tigers and other potentially dangerous species, along with other protective arrangements.
The modernisation plan also envisages changes in the way visitors move around the zoo. Separate routes are proposed for buses, cars, two-wheelers and pedestrians to improve movement and reduce congestion inside the premises.
According to him, the entry area from Mathura Road to the zoo would also be improved, with several facilities proposed along the route. Separate access arrangements and visitor amenities are being planned to make movement within the zoo more convenient.
New facilities for visitors, including toilets, are also proposed under the project, the official said. The plan further includes a hospital for animals and new enclosures to strengthen veterinary and animal-care infrastructure.
The official said the modernisation work has already begun and will be carried out in phases. The overall focus would be on providing better habitats and care facilities for animals while also making the zoo more accessible and engaging for visitors.
The return of zebras and giraffes is expected to be among the more visible additions under the plan, offering visitors a chance to see the two species at the zoo again after a gap of several years, he added. PTI SHB SHB SKY SKY
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