MUMBAI: BMC plans to create an enclosure for jaguars, a South American wildcat species, probably the first in the country, at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, also known as Byculla
zoo, along with other animals they are planning to import on the seven-acre plot it acquired from Mafatlal Mills after years of litigation.
The plot is adjoining the existing zoo and BMC will construct the enclosure in the third phase of the zoo’s expansion, where they are planning to bring in giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lemurs, ostriches and kangaroos from abroad.
Labourers on Friday started levelling the plot. Officials said that as all hurdles have been cleared, they are including the plot in the zoo area. They will soon come up with a theme-based plan on various continents housing exotic animals of the respective zones. Civic officials said the animals will easily adjust to the local climate.
BMC was criticised for importing
penguins, two of which died in the past two years. But the penguin enclosure at the zoo is much sought after by tourists.
Environmentalist D Stalin said, “BMC should adopt a
wildlife conservation approach to bringing these animals, instead of displaying them to earn money. They should first create forest-like conditions at the zoo and provide good conditions. Otherwise, these animals will suffer like the existing ones, including the penguins. BMC does not have the expertise to manage a zoo, it should learn about conservation of exotic animals from other countries.”
The zoo, established in 1982, is presently spread over 53 acres. Seven acres are being added after levelling of the plot that BMC took over from Mafatlal Mills. BMC plans to develop the newly-acquired land in the third phase by creating a new enclosure, which is awaiting approval of the central zoo authority and ministry of environment, forest and climate change.
Few years back, BMC had planned to renovate the entire zoo in phases. First, it created a penguin enclosure and bought eight Humboldt penguins in July 2016, from a South Korean zoo. But there was a public outcry against the plan as the local climate is unsuitable for them. One of the eight penguins died in the zoo due to health complications within three months, in October 2016. And a baby penguin died within a week of its birth last month.
Work on BMC’s second phase expansion, under which they are creating enclosures for various animals, is likely to be completed in 2019. BMC plans to bring in various animals through exchange programmes with other zoos in the country, like a tiger, lion and swamp deer. The zoo authority has finalized exchange deals with the Kanpur, Chennai, Aurangabad and Junagadh zoo authorities
