Security big concern at Kamatibaug

Vadodara: The incident of six blackbucks being killed by stray dogs after entering their enclosure has raised serious concerns regarding the security at the Kamatibaug where the zoo is located. Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials have already ascertained that there was a serious lapse that led the incident.
The blackbucks died due to shock after around four stray dogs entered their enclosure early on Friday morning and chased as well as bit them. The incident came to light only after 7am when a security guard reached the enclosure to resume his duty in the morning shift.

Sources said that it had come to light that the guard on the night shift was sitting at a place far away from his assigned spot along with other guards. The guard who came for the morning shift also saw him sitting there and is learnt to have told this to VMC officials when they sought details from him.

Zoo curator Pratyush Patankar said that an entire overhaul of the security at the zoo was being taken up in wake of the incident. He said that it seemed that a round of the part of the zoo for which the guard near the birds’ enclosure was responsible was not taken after 5am. “We are conducting an inquiry into the matter,” he added.

The zoo had 21 guards posted at various locations so far. The number has now been increased to 30. Existing guards who were not found suitable for duties will be replaced by new ones. The security agency has been given a time of four days to implement the changes.