The Role of Zoological Parks in Wildlife Conservation

The Role of Zoological Parks in Wildlife Conservation

        Fauna and flora of this were abundant until about a century ago and the man felt little necessity to artificial collection of wild animals and plants. There was harmonious equilibrium between natural vegetation and wildlife. Keeping of some animals in captivity dates back to Mughal era or even before when private individuals and sportsmen maintained some species like Cheetah and some birds of prey for their assistance in hunting or as a symbol of social status. The regular zoo movement in India, began in the year 1855 when the first zoo was set up in Chennai.

      In the zoological parks animals enjoy protection, fine sun-shine, fresh air and above all ample open space to play about. They have now become repertories of threatened wildlife and a store house of the knowledge on animals behaviour, their breeding habits, etc.

    Up to the middle of 20^th century, zoo animals were exhibited in cages. Today the tendency is to provide the animals in captivity with something akin to their natural habitat. Gone are the days when wild animals lived in cages like convicts in prison. Now the wild animals in zoo rather resemble estate owners. Far from desiring to escape and regain freedom, they tend to defend the space they inhabit and to keep it safe from intrusion. Zoological park is the Place where they are assured of food, medical care and treatment and where they also feel safe from their natural enemies.

        In early stages, the zoological parks, were considered as places of relaxation and enjoyment for public. Of late, however, there has been a change in the objective and purposefulness of these parks. The establishment of zoological parks helps in providing knowledge about different native and exotic wild mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and flora to the public in general and school children in particular. Since the key to wildlife conservation lies in the education of masses and involvement of voluntary organizations, zoological parks are very useful in spreading knowledge on the wildlife wealth of the country. These are also important centers   for organizing seminars, training and research on the management of wildlife species and for study of their social behaviour, breeding and ecological aspects.

           Zoological  parks all over the world have been involved in the rescue of many species threatened with extinction. Some individuals of certain species, which have vanished from their natural homes are still surviving in the parks. Our country has made good progress in the rehabilitation of some endangered species. The crocodile Rehabilitation Project being run by the FAO on the request of Government of India has done commendable work to rehabilitate crocodiles. Similarly the Himalayan Musk deer at Kufri and extraction of musk has also been achieved. For Brow-Antlered  Deer efforts are being to establish a second sanctuary for releasing deer bred in captivity into the wild. Attempts have also been made for preserving other species like Blackbuk, Sambar and Spotted Deer. Similar projects for pheasants and partridges are under way. Conservation efforts have been made over the world by breeding mammals and birds in parks and releasing them in free state as in case of the Great Indian Bustard, Houbara, Bustard, Hawaiian Goose, European Bison, etc. Thus zoological parks have eventually succeeded in savings quite a few species and rehabilitating a few in the wild which otherwise would have been extinct by now. The zoological parks therefore, are playing an important role in wildlife conservation.  

Maintenance of Zoological Park

Maintenance of Zoological Park

Once the park is established its bringing up and maintenance is as difficult as its setting up. The trouble start when the animals start arriving. Proper arrangements must be made in advance to proper the animals properly in their enclosures. Satisfactory arrangement for the procurement of feed and fodder for the animals must also be made in advance.

Veterinary and Health Care. Adequate up and maintenance is as difficult as its setting regular check up pathological investigations are absolutely necessary to be made for the health, care and upkeep of the animals. Animals should be regularly vaccinated. For proper veterinary care, case history files and history sheets of all animals should be maintained. The veterinary doctor should be stationed at site along with necessary staff.

      Successful growth of a zoological park can be estimated from the lower rate of mortality of animals every year, good breeding results and good health of the animals. It is essential to ensure proper sanitation  and upkeep of animals houses, cages, toilets and other public placed

Monotony Another problem is monotony of the animals. Animals specially those caught from the wild tend to become bored. Monotony arises when companion of an animals dies or due to the lack of variety in the enclosure, improper male females ratio,  or improper food. All these can be rectified by thoughtful panning

Landscaping Works. The lawns, parks and grassy patches must be trimmed and mowed regularly. Trees, shrubs etc. must be tended. The annual and seasonal flowers should be grown in abundance to splash colour in the park and give feeling of gaiety and festivity,

Hoardings and Sign Park on Roads. To give proper direction and indication to the visitors and tourists, and tourists, sing posts of the zoological park should be put up on important points and road junctions. Big hoardings not only attract visitors but also provide proper directions to the park. They also give some indications of the kind of animals in the park.

Literature on Park Animals. For the purpose of education, posters, brochures on park charts , magazines and articles on wildlife and plants should be brought out for free distribution to the public for information and dissemination of knowledge on wildlife of the park,

Important Zoological Parks of India

1.       Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatanam, Andhra Pradesh.

2.       Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

3.       Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

4.       National Zoological Park, Mathura Road, Delhi.

5.       Kamala Nehru Zoological Garden, Kankaria, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

6.       Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Garden, Mysore, Karnataka.

7.       NandanKanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneshwae, Orissa.

8.       Mahendra Chaudhury Zoological Park, Chhatbir, Punjab.

9.       Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Outskirts of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

10.   Kurumbapatti Zoological Park, Salem, Tamil Nadu.

11.   Kanpur Zoological Park, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

12.   Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

13.   Zoological Garden, Alipore, Lolkata.

14.   Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjelling, West Bengal.

15.   Zoological Park, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

16.   Gandhi Zoological Park, Gwaliar, Madhya Pradesh.

17.   Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba. Imphal. Manipur.

Establishment and Maintenance of Zoological Parks

Establishment  and Maintenance of Zoological Parks

  Establishing a zoological park is a tedious and an expensive job. Equally difficult is its maintenance. Lot of experience, Knowledge and efforts are required to be put in.

Establishment of Zoological Park 

   It is essential to provide proper habitat and environment to the animals which should be as near to their natural habitat as possible for their healthy growth. The other thing which zoological park managers are concerned with is that the animals should be exhibited in near natural conditions. For this purpose the moated enclosures are preferred where animals and the visitors have no visual barrier in between.

Selection of Site. While selecting the site, it is very important to see that not only adequate area is taken for the present requirements but some area is reserved for future expansion also. It is essential that the site selected is close to the city and near a main road so that it is well within the reach of a common man and can be conveniently approached by bus or other means of transportation. It should also be kept in mind that the site is well wooded and well drained so that healthy habitat and environment can be provided to the animals.

  Layout. The layout and designing requires services of trained and experienced foresters and wildlife experts. An architect should be essentially associated with park for designing and translating deferent ideas and preparing detailed drawings for the same. The layout should be done on phylogenetic basis. A large guide map should be laid out near the entrance of the park.

 Animals for the Park. The most important component of a zoological park is the initial stock of animals. Before even the park is conceived, arrangement to procure animals or at least the commitment of various zoological parks and agencies who may have agreed to supply the animals should be obtained so that park does not starve  of animals.

Public Amenities. For visitors there should be adequate transport arrangements to and from the park ad well as in its interior. Special arrangements should be made for the handicapped persons and children. Canteens kiosks and restaurants should be laid out at convenient places to provide  refreshment on reasonable rates. In addition well maintained parks, lawns and toilets should be provided. A children park would be an added attraction. All the roads and parks should be adequately indicated by direction boards. A proper car park must be laid out. All closed days should be prominently written on hoardings..

Personnel Management. Since the park staff had to stay at site, their convenience and requirements must be taken care of. Schooling and health facilities should be easily available. Apart from this, incentives in kind and cash  other prerequisites like free housing, electricity, water etc.  should be provided to keep them satisfied in their job. A proper and imaginative promotion policy should be devised. Therefore, a human relations approach should be followed in management. It must be ensured that the staff posted is willing completely devoted and dedicated. Frequent transfers of the staff should be avoided to prevent dislocation and deterioration in the quality of work.

Zoological Parks

 Zoological Parks

         To understand the zoological parks, it is important to know something about wildlife.

         The term wild life generally given the impression of large and well known animals living in the jungle or in water such as tigers, wolves elephants, rhinoceroses, deer, crocodiles, and whales. Some people exclude even the fish from the wild life category. Infact, the wild life refers to all the living organisms in their natural habitat other than the cultivated plats and domesticated animals.

  Now question arises, what is the importance of wildlife ? It helps us in maintaining the balance of nature The destruction of carnivorous or insectivorous animals often leads to the increase in herbivorous animals which in turn affects the forest vegetation or crops. The reduction in the extent of the forest would affect rains and thereby influence our economy. Complete disappearance of snakes leads to increase the rat population. Wild life is beneficial to mankind in several ways. Several wild plants provide useful substances like timber, paper, gums, resin, tannins, dry fruits, etc. Many wild plants are used in Ayurvedic, Tibetan and other systems of medicines. Wild animals. Wild animals are a source of muck, ivory, leather, honey, lac, fur, feathers, guano horns, etc. New surgical method or efficiency of new medicines of new medicines is  tested first on animals, rhesus monkeys have been subjected to such test preservation of wild life also helps to study morphology, anatomy, physiology, ecology of wild animals in their natural surroundings, Many new improved verities of crops of useful animals have been derived from their wild relatives by genetic modifications. The wild forms serve as a reserve gene pools which may be tapped for improving disease resistance, pest resistance, yield, etc. wild animals provide game, fun and recreation . In  some countries people are fond of hunting or fishing  and spend a large amount of money on these sports. A visit to the sanctuaries and national parks  is a thrilling experience. Wild life  provides aesthetic value to man. A world without to live an. The wild life of India is our cultural asset and has deep rooted effect on Indian art, sculpture, Literature and religion.

      Thus conservation of wildlife is essential. Wild life conservation means the management of human use of the biosphere so that it may give maximum benefit to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the requirements of the  of the future generations. Conservation of wildlife has three specific objects To maintain essential ecological processes and life supporting system air, water and soil . To preserve the diversity of species or the range of genetic ecosystems which support rural communities and ensure a continuous use of species and ecosystems which support rural communities and major industries.

     Conservation of living resource is concerned with living organisms and with those non living elements of the environments which support them.

  India has rich flora and fauna because of its diverse climate and physical conditions, ranging from clod deserts of Ladakh and Spiti to the hot deserts of the Thar, the temperate forests in the Himalaya to the tropical rain forests or lowlands. India is also gifted with large fresh water bodies and rich ocean resources of  Deccan.

   In 1952, The government of India constituted an advisory body on country’s wild life called the Central Board for wild life. Later, it was named as the Indian Board for wild life. Many Indian states have formed their own Wild life Advisory Board. The government of India has already enacted a Wild life Protection Act 1972. The killing and capturing of law. National parks and sanctuaries could be created under this law. This act has been adopted by all the states except Jammu and Kashmir which has own similar act. Creation societies like The Bombay Natural History Society and wild preservation Society Of India are also doing useful work for the conservations of wildlife. Protected areas in India include National Parks, Zoological; parks, Sanctuaries and Biosphere Reserves.

       Thus National Parks, Zoological parks is an area which is strictly reserved most suitable areas to conserve wildlife.