The sprawling 625-acre Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), popularly known as Vizag Zoo, has floored the three-member team from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA).
They were impressed by the natural settings forming the backdrop of the zoo and the moats and enclosures, developed in sync with nature, utilising the hills, natural stream and trees. “The three chimps, which were brought here recently from Israel, were housed in a small enclosure as we wanted to give them a better place,” INPA member Ori Linial said on the sidelines of the workshop.
“We have enrichment programmes to train animal keepers to think ‘out of the box’ to keep the animals, under their care, in good humour for a greater part of the day. In nature, the animals have to work hard for their food. Zoo animals may lose their cognitive abilities and develop psychological problems, when they follow the same routine day after day,” Mr. Ori said.
Another INPA member Gilad was all praise for the management practices at Vizag Zoo.