from the MEMBER SECRETARY Ex-situ conservation is perhaps more challenging than in-situ conservation as it requires intensive management to ensure the overall welfare of captive animals. Fortunately, the zoos of our KULDEOSULR0LQLVWHURIWDWHIRU(QYLURQPHQW)RUHVW country have evolved suitably with DQG&OLPDWH&KDQJHDWWKH&VWDOO&0&23ZLWKU3 DGDY0HPEHUHFUHWDU&3KRWR0R()&& respect to overall management of animals in captivity, ranging from maintaining the upkeep and healthcare they have to full in consideration of of animals to preparing for any unseen the animals, caretakers, as well as the emergency. This was exactly the visitors. However, as witnessed, the situation faced by zoo managers across zoo community has shown courage India during the nationwide lockdown and compassion for wildlife, and done due to the COVID19 global pandemic. exemplary teamwork responding in an unprecedented emergency with timely The situation was particularly alarming application of management plans, for zoos due to the news of a tiger (and adapting these to suit the situation. consequently, ve tigers and three lions) Additionally, this newsletter issue also testing positive for the coronavirus highlights the best innovative practises at the Bronx Zoo, New York in April. that gear us for the ‘new normal’. Fortunately Indian zoos were on high Webinars, virtual zoo programmes and alert before the lockdown was formally use of digital media platforms have announced and timely advisories helped zoos take up extensive outreach. and concerted action by state forest departments have so far averted any I hope that as we celebrate World pandemic-related tragedy. Environment Day on 5th June, we remember to cherish and appreciate the This issue of Ex-situ Updates mainly beauty of nature and its many creatures, focuses on eorts made by zoos during and pledge to protect and preserve her the COVID19 pandemic, where sta forever. have worked with tireless commitment for the voiceless creatures in the zoos under their care. These are challenging Dr S P Yadav, IFS times and a reminder to the zoo Member Secretary community of the huge responsibilities Central Zoo Authority LL TRIBUTE Madhavakrishna Kamal Naidu, IFS (19392018) Imagine being face to face with a six- and-a-half foot cobra and pushed to choose between your own life and the lives of the animals you love! This life threatening incident actually happened with Shri M Kamal Naidu, a distinguished Indian Forest Service ocer and former director of the National Zoological Park, RSHIDDERHKUL1DLGUHFHLYLQJWKHKDUD&KDNUD Delhi. IURPWKHRQEOH3UHVLGHQWRI,QGLDKUL59HQNDWDUDPDQ KUL1DLGZLWKRQHRIKLVFKDUJHVDW1HKURRORJLFDO 3DUNGHUDEDG Born and brought up in Andhra Pradesh (including present-day Telangana), Shri Naidu joined the Indian Forest Service in towards wildlife, he was awarded the 1962. He served in remote areas rife with Shaurya Chakra, for extraordinary insurgency and was known for showing gallantry, in 1988. He is the rst civilian exemplary courage. It was during his and IFS ocer to receive this honour. tenure as DFO that on August 10, 1972, he was ambushed, shot at, and grievously Shri Naidu’s contribution to zoo injured by Naxals, near Paloncha, a small management has been exemplary. town in present day Telangana. He He also served as Curator at Nehru survived but was conned in the hospital Zoological Park, Hyderabad. His for three-and-a-half months before being seminal book ‘Handbook for Indian discharged. Zoo Directors’ was rst published in 2006. His other book, ‘The Tigress of Another close brush with death was Nallamalai’ is one of the few authored on with an Indian cobra at Delhi zoo, when the beautiful landscape of present day he picked the serpent by its tail to save Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Tiger Reserve. the lion cubs housed in the enclosure. Unfortunately, he got bitten and battled Shri Kamal Naidu will be remembered for three days in critical condition at the for his lifetime dedication to animals, hospital. both wild and captive, as he continues to inspire generations of zoo managers and For his bravery and steely commitment conservationists in India. PRIORITY SPECIES for ex-situ conservation ,OOVWDWLRV9LYHN6DND 0DPPDOV LUGV 5HSWLOHVPSKLELDQV the BIG PICTURE the BIG PICTURE Zoos in the time of Corona WULSHGHQDDHDDHDEHLQJIHGDW,QGLUD DQGKLRRORJLFDO3DUN9LVKDNKDSDWQDP3KRWR,3 The key to successfully dealing with CZA issued its rst advisory reminding unprecedented situations like the zoos to follow preventive measures COVID -19 pandemic is proactive on 13th March while also reiterating preparation. We bring you lockdown the advice of the Ministry of Health stories from Indian zoos and the zoo and Family Welfare. An important step managers, vets, caretakers, educators, was to write to the Chief Secretaries of sanitation workers, animal rescuers, all states and UTs, requesting them to and countless other staff who have include zoos and zoo personnel under tirelessly worked to ensure the survival ‘essential services’. It also helped when of captive animals. the Ministry of Home Aairs in its addendum dated 25th March exempted An important aspect of Indian zoos is zoo management services from the list of their primary mandate of animal welfare non-permitted activities. and ex-situ conservation, besides public awareness and outreach. Driven by this >> Proactive Preparation perspective, Indian zoos have fared better A range of measures like ensuring in ensuring a continuous supply of food good hygiene and sanitation practices, and animal care including veterinary temperature scanning of zoo sta, as well support during these troubled times. as monitoring animal behaviour, helped prevent any major mishap during the >> Timely Intervention by CZA lockdown. From across India, there are numerous excellent examples of how zoos stepped An excellent example comes from up their preparation – in many cases, well Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna, before the nationwide lockdown was Bihar where visitor entry was shut down announced. on 15th March – nine days before the StabeingcheckedwithathermalscanneratNehruZoologicalPark,Hyderabad(Photo:NZP) 9HWHULQDUDULDQVLQVSHFWLQJDQLPDOIHHGDW1HKURRORJLFDO3DUNGHUDEDG3KRWR13 nationwide lockdown. “With the bird-u Another example comes from a zoo scare two-years-ago that resulted in the under public sector undertaking in zoo shutting operations for two months, Jamshedpur, the Tata Steel Zoological the sta have the experience of dealing Park. Bipul Chakraborty, the Curator with an abrupt halt to zoo operations, as mentions, “We anticipated this well as sanitation and hygiene protocols,” uncertainty early in January. A majority as per Amit Kumar, Director of the park. of the sanitation and hygiene measures He recalls: “When the lockdown began, we as advised were already being followed ensured that about 30 percent of our sta here since years, and we had adequate were working as part of essential services supply of PPE (Personal Protective with nearly 40 individuals staying full- Equipment). Being a small zoo, we were time in the zoo residential complex. able to manage.” Similarly, in Nehru Zoological Park, Impressively, for Bengaluru’s expansive Hyderabad, Curator N Kshitija Bannerghatta Biological Park, mentions that she anticipated such pandemic preparedness went beyond uncertainty early on, and started just sta and animal safety; with the making preparations. “We made masks zoo engaging its student volunteers and gloves compulsory for sta even in educating visitors about social when the zoo was open to visitors, and distancing and hygiene. The Executive ordered medicines for sta and animals Director, Vanashree Vipin Singh, early on.” In the rst week of March, the appreciatively adds that all sta have zoo stocked up on two months of feed been pitching in with longer hours than and grain supply. A dedicated medical usual, picking up night shis, and going team maintained a daily register of sta well beyond what is required to ensure temperatures. that zoo functioning is optimal. ROGHQ-DFNDODDHHQFORVUHDW5DMNRWRRORJLFDO3DUN3KRWR5.LUSDUD >> India on High Alert >> Peace in Spring In April, a tiger in Bronx Zoo, New With a sudden halt in visitors’ entries York tested positive for COVID19, and to zoos, animals were placed in an CZA issued its second advisory to environment unlike ever before. Zoo sta zoos across India indicating the three have been keeping a watchful eye and National veterinary centres (at Bhopal, have observed that animals appear more Hissar and Bareily) where suspected relaxed with no footfalls! samples for COVID testing could be sent. Fortunately for India, over 22 animal Amala M Anil, Education Ocer at the samples have been tested and found to Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru be negative till date. observes, “the zoo is rather peaceful, so we have tried to move animals in In Kanpur Zoological Park, sta dierent enclosures too. We observed took various precautionary steps the crocodiles mating, elephants can like enhancing pest control services, walk around freely.” and introducing foot trays dipped with disinfectants for all individuals She pointed out that the zoo’s primates entering the zoo premises. They also actively engage with visitors, and thus conducted regular awareness programs appear slightly bored – an observation for sta about biosecurity and zoonotic mirrored by zoo sta at the Assam State diseases. Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati. Tejas Mariswamy, Director at the zoo The more peaceful environs have invited adds, “Our hoolock gibbons interact a