One can now adopt lions, tigers, leopards, hippopotamuses, deer, ostriches, crocodiles, elephants, and other wild animals living in the zoos and biological parks of Rajasthan. The Rajasthan government has introduced a Captive Animal Sponsorship Scheme for this purpose.
Under the scheme, individuals adopting animals will be responsible for expenses related to the animal’s protection, food, medicine, and overall care.
“This will not only give wildlife lovers a chance to connect directly with wildlife, but they will also be able to closely observe their lives. The dream of keeping one’s favorite wild animal will also be fulfilled,” said Devendra Singh, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACFO), Nahargarh Biological Park, Jaipur.
The scheme has been launched to aid the protection of rare and endangered species like the wolf, Great Indian Bustard, and others housed in zoos and biological parks across the state.
As per the scheme, individuals can apply to the District Forest Officer to adopt an animal for a period ranging from a minimum of one month to a maximum of five years.
Officials said that the government has fixed average daily expenditure rates for various animals. For example, at Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur, the daily sponsorship cost is ₹1,500 for a hippopotamus, and ₹1,200 each for lions, tigers, and leopards.
In return, the adopting individual and their family and acquaintances will receive discounts on entry to biological parks and safaris.
