Aurangabad, July 17:
The two-member team of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) today expressed their displeasure over the poor upkeep of the zoo by Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in the past three years. They also underlined that the AMC failed to implement the recommendations it had made while issuing provisional permission to run the zoo to the civic administration. Non-availability of drinking water for the visitors, absence of an adequate number of caretakers (attendants) to look after different wildlife animals, shortage of space, etc in the Siddharth Garden Zoo disappointed them the most. The CZA has winded up its tour and left the city today.
Three years ago, the CZA had pointed out 28 shortcomings in the zoo development plan and had mentioned the AMC to overcome them on priority. However, the civic body failed to implement all of them, noticed the CZA team comprising Dr Govari Malapur and T Ajay Kumar, during the inspection done on Friday and Saturday. They spent hours comparing the changes made after their recommendations. They also spotted many new shortcomings. The AMC additional commissioner B B Nemane, however, assured of implementing all the recommendations.
Vacant posts
The CZA observed that many posts like director, chief animal husbandry officer, assistant officer, technical superintendent, special caretaker, caretakers for different wildlife animals, veterinary officers, supporting staff to shift the animal in hospital, stock keeper, etc are lying vacant. They had not been filled up.
Team raises objection
The CZA team also expressed concern as according to them the care of animals is not being taken properly in the zoo. There are no amusement items for animals, big enclosures for their movement, etc.
It may be noted that the AMC has informed the media persons that the CZA team will be inspecting the proposed Wildlife Safari Park (Mitmita) on Saturday. However, the team did not visit there, instead, they preferred to spend time on the zoo campus only.