Surat zoo on alert after Delhi tragedy

SURAT: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)-run Nature Park and Zoo at Sarthana is in the spotlight after a youth was killed by a white tiger in the Delhi zoo two days ago. Zoo authorities are trying to do everything to ensure security of the animals as well as of the visitors though not a single untoward incident has occurred here in the past 11 years since it was first thrown open to the public.
Zoo authorities on Thursday claimed that they are armed with water cannons and latest tranquilizer guns to shoo away the animals when needed. The zoo houses four tigers, two lionesses, a Himalayan bear, three sloth bears and five leopards in its enclosures set up according to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) guidelines.
"The enclosures have been covered with iron grills and barricades. It is a templated standard approved by CZA. So we stand in good stead on the safety front. This 80-acre zoo is manned by eight supervisors, 25 animal caretakers and around 30 security guards. Each security personnel guards two cages and prevents visitors from venturing close to the enclosures," zoo superintendent Dr Prafful Mehta said. "Vandalism by visitors is a major problem. They throw stones at sleeping animals because they want to see them walk or growl. Despite having 25 animal caretakers, who double up as security guards, we haven't been able to control such behaviour," Mehta said.
"Visitors' enthusiasm to take pictures of animals from close quarters is also rising. No amount of warning or education has helped. Perhaps people will learn from the Delhi incident," zoo caretaker Rajesh Patel said.
Mehta said he will write to municipal commissioner to allot funds for having CCTV surveillance inside the zoo premises, especially at enclosures of dreaded animals. This would help caretakers as well as guards to keep a close vigil on the enclosures and respond immediately during emergency situations.