Kolkata zoo allows residents to adopt an animal

Kolkata: The word parenting has taken a whole new meaning for a few in the city as they will have the opportunity not only to tend to their own offspring, but also animals in the zoo.

Under an exclusive “Adopt an Animal” scheme, several city industrialists, celebrities and individuals have adopted different species ranging from tigers, rhinos and elephants to macaws, leopards, a fishing cat and the chimpanzee and from now on will pay for their upkeep on an annual basis.

Zoo officials, however, have issued strict guidelines.

Though the ‘parents’ will get to name the animals, have free visitation rights on weekdays and celebrate their birthdays within the zoo premises, no one can take their adopted tiger out of the facility, or pose inside the cage with their newly adopted leopard.

Neither can a parent bring their entire extended family or business delegation to show off their rhino.

The owners though will get regular updates about their well being from the authorities. They will receive information such as treatment in case of illness. In addition, the owners also will enjoy tax exemption for the amount they spend for the animal’s upkeep.

Established in 1876 and spread over 46 acres in the south of the eastern metropolis, the Alipore Zoological Gardens, was undergoing a rough patch.

Formerly a must-visit destination, the zoo these days mostly attracts headlines for bad news such as marmosets being stolen or the death of Kangaroos due to neglect.

Zoo officials, who have raised Rs3 million (Dh181,175) through this scheme, said that the idea was not to raise funds, but to get citizens involved in the maintenance of the zoo and conservation of wildlife.

“Almost all of the 40 animals have been adopted. But for some animals like tigers and one-horn rhinoceros, there is a queue as more people are willing to adopt them,” said V.K. Yadav, acting director of Alipore Zoological Gardens.

“Why just animals, the enclosures could also be adopted so that the wildlife can have a healthier environment to live in,” said principal chief conservator of forests N.C. Bahuguna.

State forest minister Hiten Barman said: “Most of the people who have adopted hardly ever visited the zoo in the last two decades. But, through this scheme, they are all now stakeholders, which will force them to think about its upkeep and thereby force the authorities to ensure better maintenance.”

“We support the cause fully and we believe that this will go a long way in nurturing the idea of conservation and protection of wildlife,” said city based industrialist Harsh Neotia, who adopted a white tiger.

Adopting an animal is not a new idea and has been in practice in zoos around the world. Many zoos, including the world famous San Diego Zoo and the Singapore zoo, have such schemes. Even in India, the Darjeeling zoo experimented with this idea but with little success.