The management of Singapore Zoo has offered 25 animals to Karachi Zoo on exchange basis, said Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui on Monday.
“A list of animals is in the making on demand of Singapore Zoo. The list would then be sent to Singapore so that animals could be acquired from them in exchange,” he said this while addressing a meeting with the advisory committee of zoo that has been formed by the government. Measures for improvement of zoo were discussed in the meeting.
Senior officers, experts of different departments, members of civil society and representatives of media were also present on the occasion. Siddiqui said the measures for uplift of the Karachi zoo had yielded positive results. He said zoos in other countries would also be contacted for exchanging animals besides Singapore Zoo. The Sindh wild life department presented report on action against illegal sale of priceless and rare birds and animals, which was lauded in the meeting. The meeting decided that operation against illegal sale of rare birds and animals should continue.
The meeting was apprised that the management of Mohatta Palace was avoiding returning of old lion statues of Karachi Zoo. However, they have offered making new statue for the zoo which has been turned down by the committee. The meeting was told that the zoo management had opened sponsorship bank account to receive funds for Karachi Zoo. Director Local Government Rubina Asif and Senior Director Zoo Raza Abbas Rizvi were also present on the occasion.
