The Margazar Zoo in the federal capital, supposed to be model for other cities across the country, gives a miserable look with cages of lions, leopards and snakes lying vacant for the last several years.
However, the blithe attitude on part of the city administration is more worrisome which could not manage to bring the missing animals to the zoo, neither by purchase, nor exchange deals that are common with wildlife associations across the world.
According to a CDA official, there had been no lions since the last one decade when the only lion died owing to prolonged illness.
However, in 2001 the zoo again bought a pair of lions and six cheetahs.
The pair of lions died and the CDA donated the cheetahs, on a pretext of lacking facilities. According to the official, four were handed over to Loi Bher, Jungle Park Zoo and the remaining two to Jungle Wood Park of the army.
Moreover, the female elephant `Saheli’ also died mysteriously, though the exact causes of her death is yet to be ascertained as post-mortem report has not been finalised.
The official said the project of new Margazar Zoo was in progress which would encompass all facilities and animals, which are now missing in the zoo.
He said under the project, the CDA has planned to bring three lions and a pair of leopards.
The official said the project comprised fencing of existing enclosures for animals, development of sit-out areas, replacement of sheets at sheds, establishment of hatcheries and incubators.
Moreover, a security system would be installed at the zoo including walkthrough gates and security cameras.
The official said that a month ago, CDA had floated tenders to import lions, an elephant, giraffes and cheetahs.
“The ongoing zoo expansion project comprised all features to improve the zoo, although financial crunch has impeded the project and CDA is trying its utmost to improve the facilities for animals at the zoo,” he added.
