Mumbai: First, the famous Jijamata Udyan or Byculla zoo has not been able to save the animals since the last 15 years. There are a few species of birds and animals, mostly captive breeds. Today, the zoo remains quite a sad place which once was popular among children.
Now, Mumbaikars are being promised new exotic breeds of animals. After Humboldt penguins, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), has approved the expansion plan of Phase III of the Byculla zoo. In fact, 12 acres of land was acquired, adjacent to the zoo to erect raised enclosures to keep these animals.
The animals that will be brought to the zoo are jaguar, white lion, cheetah, hippo, wallaby, zebra, giraffe, oryx, okapi, Cassowary, emu, ostrich, mandrill monkey and chimpanzees. The expansion plans of the zoo were detailed by Mumbai mayor, Vishwanath Mahadeshwar. “We are planning to acquire land between 2019 and 2021. The estimated cost of this project is Rs 200 crore,” said Mahadeshwar.
Currently the Phase II of the revamp process is underway, which includes a landscape garden, 3D theatre and acquisition of non-exotic animals. “In next two-three months, a tiger, Asiatic lions, hyena, barking and swamp deer, jackal, sloth bear, pond turtle and a leopard will be acquired by the zoo.
We have already signed an exchange agreement with various zoos across India and will bring these animals shortly,” informed a zoo official. At present, there are in all 344 animals in the zoo, of which 97 are mammals, 218 birds and 29 reptiles and all are captive breeds. The zoo has not acquired any animal in the last 15 years.
