Gone in 24 hours: The mystery of the vanishing fence at Delhi Zoo

Delhi Zoo officially said they were “not in the loop” regarding the “installation and removal” of the fencing. On Wednesday evening, a team had begun installing a high fence outside the white tiger’s enclosure, following an inspection by the Central Zoo Authority. But by Thursday morning, the fence, which had been welded to the existing boundary, was removed.

Sources in Delhi Zoo claimed that such an installation was a direct contravention of the zoo’s masterplan and would have national ramifications. Some said the fencing was perhaps used for measurement purposes and not installed permanently. Officials, however, had no answer when asked why such  a fence would then need to be welded in.

Asked about the vanishing fence, zoo curator Riyaz Khan, said: “I can’t comment on this. I was not present there when this happened. I was not in the loop.”

To the same question, zoo authority member secretary, BS Bonal, replied likewise. “I am not in a position to comment. A team is probing the matter and I will be able to talk after they file their report,” he said.

Separately, asked about the lack of CCTV cameras at crucial enclosures, Khan said. “We had issued the tender for installation of CCTV cameras.

However, the procured cameras were sub-standard. Now there is an ongoing litigation in connection with the procurement.”

He said the case was earlier in the Patiala House court but is now pending at Saket. “We can’t install the CCTVs till there is a court decision.” Asked about the standard operating procedure on emergency responses, Riaz Khan, said, “We have an emergency protocol and the response came accordingly. We reached within five minutes but the situation was made worse by the public’s rash reaction.”