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MS Dhoni
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The Chamarajendra Zoological park better known as Mysore zoo on Thursday formalised the adoption of a nine-year-old tiger Agasthya by the Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Enclosing a cheque of `1 lakh towards adoption fee, Dhoni sent out a duly filled application form to zoo authorities from West Indies, where he is currently camping. He also sent out a personal note, highlighting the importance of tiger conservation.
“It is touching to see that, despite being an international cricketer, Dhoni has spared time to know about tigers and the conservation of large cats. In his note, he expressed his love not just towards tigers but towards animal conservation as a whole,” said MN Jayakumar, member secretary of Central Zoo Authority in Karnataka.
Executive director of Mysore Zoo, KB Markandaiah, said, “This adoption will give a big boost to the conservation of not just tigers but also other endangered species. I am sure more celebrities will think of adopting wildlife and actively get into conservation. Gauging the commitment Dhoni has towards wildlife conservation, we are sure he will visit his feline Agasthya in the zoo soon.”
Sources close to Dhoni’s family said there were appeals from Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Zoo for Dhoni to adopt another tiger called Sugreev there too, but he did not have enough time to formalise the adoption.
“We will try to seek an appointment with him to visit the Birsa Munda Zoo when he comes here next time,” they said.
It is true that former India pacer Javagal Srinath who had inspired many cricketers in the past to adopt animals at Mysore Zoo had requested Dhoni also to adopt a tiger.
“Dhoni is an avid animal lover. I did not even tell him twice about adopting a tiger. He always wanted to adopt one," they added.
During the last IPL match, he told me he will complete the formalities soon. I am happy about his gesture but I am not surprised as I always knew he loved animals,” said Srinath.
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