By IANS
New Delhi : Leopards, jackals, snakes and other wild animals straying into human habitations in states neighbouring the capital will now be kept at a special quarantine facility being constructed in the Delhi Zoo.
The quarantine, being set up adjacent to the wildlife hospital in the zoo, will cater to rescued and displaced wild animals, an official said.
The facility will also be used for animals that need to be kept in isolation, including animals brought from foreign countries, or other Indian zoos, and as a transit point for rescued and displaced wild animals.
Wild animals rescued by forest officials from neighbouring areas will be housed here for relief and medical aid.
The foundation stone of the building, being constructed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), was laid by Meena Gupta, secretary, MoEF.
“There have been several incidents necessitating the creation of such a facility for housing the displaced or injured wildlife on a temporary basis. This facility will address this important issue,” Gupta said in a statement.
R.B. Lal, inspector general of forests and director, wildlife preservation, said: “The facility will have separate enclosures for housing carnivores, herbivores, reptiles, primates and birds.”
According to the Recognition of Zoo Rules, each veterinary hospital in a zoo should have an isolation and quarantine ward for newly arrived and sick animals.
The wards are located so as to minimise chances of infections spreading to other animals of the zoo.
“It is mandatory for every large and medium zoo to have a quarantine facility. We are going to meet this statutory requirement,” D.N. Singh, director of Delhi Zoo, said.