Capital zoo to host big cats soon

The capital city’s animal lovers are all set to hear a “good news” as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) bosses are making arrangements to purchase lions, leopards and other special species of animals for the Marghazar Zoo, which are likely to arrive here within three months, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The visitors express disappointment over not finding big cats or other special species of animals in the zoo for the past several years, but the newly-appointed chairman of CDA, Farkhand Iqbal, may bring their hopes true by upgrading the zoo. A senior CDA official told this scribe that the civic agency had issued to buy new animals, after which a party from Karachi was selected for purpose.
“Now, we are all set to buy animals including three lions, two ostriches, and two leopards, while a summary has already been sent to the Finance Wing of the CDA for approval,” he said, adding that the delivery would be made within few days after the approval of funds.
On insistence, he expressed hope that it was a matter of two or three months, as the Finance Wing would surely allocate the resources. The official said the zoo administration had made a chit system to get feedback from the public.
“Whenever we check the feedback of the public, they always demand the CDA to import lions and snakes. Sometimes, the people also use abusive language against the authority for not providing enough entertainment to the visitors of the zoo,” he added.
The Islamabad Zoo, previously known as Marghazar Zoo, spread over an area of 82 acres. It was opened in 1978, and is under the administration of the CDA. The zoo started in 1978 as a refuge for leopards, spotted deer and Indian gazelle found in the region. It soon gained popularity and became a part of the Japanese garden.
An aviary was later constructed. The CDA devised a plan in August 2008 to upgrade and extend the zoo as a recreational area and wildlife sanctuary. The estimated cost of the project is 1,407.8 million rupees.
Despite the fact that no lion, no snake and many other special species of animals are not present in the compound, but still a large number of visitors visit the spot daily.
A staffer of the zoo said after the two day weekly holidays, a great rush of the visitors was being witnessed. “The people who visit Damn-e-Koh also come to the zoo as it is located on the route leading towards Pir Sohawa, the top most visiting site of the capital city.”
During interviews with visitors, Pakistan Today talked to Saud, a British national, and asked him about the difference between the zoo of London and that of Pakistan’s capital, he replied: “In England, you can see more than 40 types of tiger and you cannot find even a single one in Pakistan’s capital,” he said.
He suggested that the authorities concerned should import more animals, as it could be helpful to attract more visitors. “We enjoyed here a lot because it’s a peaceful place and we see a number of animals here like elephant and monkeys,” said Hamad another visitor.
According to a local staffer, various educational institutions also organise trips for recreational and educational purposes. The students of zoology and animal psychology also visit the zoo for study.