BMC says Humboldt penguins to be shifted to special enclosure in Byculla zoo next week

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday informed the Bombay High Court that seven Humboldt penguins will be shifted from the quarantine centre inside the Byculla zoo to the designated enclosure prepared for them by either March 7 or 8 . However, a date for public viewing is yet to be decided.

It was on July 26, 2016, that eight Humboldt penguins—three male and five female—were brought from Coex Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea to Mumbai's Byculla Zoo. The purchase, ignoring warnings and protest letters from animal rights activists, was part of a multi-crore project that included funds for setting up a special temperature-controlled enclosure for them.

However, three months after their arrival, one of the birds died. There were allegations then that eventhough the birds were quarantined, certain people were allowed to enter their enclosure, and that the caretaking staff was not technically equipped to handle them.

A public interest litigation has been filed in the high court asking for the penguins to be sent back to their original habitat. The BMC has strongly opposed the plea and claimed that proper arrangements were being made to ensure the safety and well being of the penguins.  

At present, there are a total of seven penguins, among which there are three couples.