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One vet for 1,200 animals: Delhi's
biggest zoo is no better

Swapna Khanna in New Delhi

There is only one veterinary doctor to take care of over 1,200 animals at the Delhi Zoological Park -- the biggest in the national capital. He is assisted by a compounder, a lab assistant and a few class-IV employees.

And that is not all. The lone vet, Dr N Paneer Selvam, is on deputation. He was granted an extension recently after the Central Zoo Authority failed to find a replacement.

Animal lovers and naturalists say that if a zoological park in the national capital can have such pathetic health facilities, the routine deaths of zoo animals in smaller cities must not come as a surprise.

"Vets are usually sent to zoos on deputation from the Department of Animal Husbandry. The last full-time assistant veterinary officer retired from the Delhi zoo in 1997," said an employee requesting anonymity.

Wildlife experts blame the Central Zoo Authority for not recruiting specialised veterinarians in zoos across the country.

Ashok Kumar, vice-president, Wildlife Protection Society of India said: "Most zoos in the country have just one wildlife expert. Most of them are not trained to handle wild animals. And if they do, they rarely undergo refresher courses."

Kumar believes wildlife medicine is a specialised field and vets must be given special training before they are put in charge of a zoo.

"Majority of our zoos don't have specialised wildlife vets. These parks often have to make do with inferior equipment, poor medicine stocks and primitive operation facilities," he said.

Kumar said all zoos in the country have Indian Forest Service officers as managers. "These people do not have even the basic training in taking care of animals...but they are there taking vital decisions."

Kumar suggests that if the Central Zoo Authority cannot provide trained staff to zoological parks, it should shut down these facilities. "There is no point in having these zoos if we cannot afford to take care of the animals."

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