Alarmed by the rise in the number of animal deaths at the city-based Alipore Zoological Garden, the People For Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) has called for the closure of the zoo.
Close to 67 animals including tigers, lions, chimpanzees, kangaroos, birds and snakes have, according to PETA, died in the Alipore zoo during the last eight months beginning August 2011.
The number of animal deaths in the zoo stood at about 53 in 2010-11 and 57 in 2009-10.
Most of these deaths in 2011-12 were caused because of absence of proper veterinary care, said Ms Poorva Joshipura, Chief Functionary, PETA India.
The animal rights organisation has already written to the West Bengal Chief Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, demanding a closure of the zoo.
The zoo is also plagued with the problem of frequent shift in directors.
“During this eight-month period the zoo has seen the appoint of nine directors. This apart, projects worth more than Rs 7.50 crore have been lying incomplete at the zoo,” Ms Joshipura told Business Line .
Although PETA India calls for a boycott of all zoos that steal animals' feed and force them to live in oppressive and cruel conditions, the situation in Alipore zoo was particularly critical, she pointed out.
With a view to mobilising public opinion, PETA members along with other activists will protest outside the Alipore Zoo with placards that read – “Try to Relate to an Animal’s Fate. Boycott Zoos” on Tuesday.
State Zoo Authority
Recently, the Ms Mamata Banerjee led state government had formed the State Zoo Authority to refurbish all zoos in the state and bring them under one umbrella body.
The authority was set up to guide, supervise and monitor zoos and ensure its smooth functioning.
“Though the State Government has formed zoo authority, we want the State’s primary focus to shift from collection of animals in captivity to habitat preservation,” she said.