Speak up Mumbai: After the death of penguin chick, should the Byculla zoo have more exotic species

Mumbai's hope of watching a young little penguin was dashed due to the unfortunate death of the penguin chick, which hatched out of the egg on August 15 at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale (VJB) Zoo at Byculla. The death that ocurred on August 22 was due to new born anomalies like yolk sac retention and liver dysfunction as per the post mortem report. However the death also resulted in re-igniting the long debate over whether Mumbai's zoo should bring more exotic animals or not.

As per the zoo's masterplan submitted to Central Zoo Authourity (CZA), approval for enclosures of five exotic animals is already in place, which include- Penguins, Hippo, Emu, Zebra and Jaguar of which the zoo already has hippo and emu for a long time and penguins were brought in 2016.

While officials from zoo argue that the complete make over of the zoo will ensure that Mumbai's zoo would be one of the best maintained spaces and boast of excellent animal management and healthcare facilities, animal activists state that going by the reputation of the zoo they cannot believe in their tall claims.

STATISTICS:

7- Number of penguins at Zoo
5- Number of exotic animals to be kept at the zoo

VOICES

It would be good if the zoo focuses on maintaining and better upkeep of existing animals rather than aiming for exotic species. Fewer animals but with better living conditions, and with state-of-the-art educational and interactive facilities for the visitors would make the visit to the zoo an enriching experience.
— Kedar Gore, Goregaon resident

It was a great moment of cheer for Mumbaikars to have penguins in our zoo. No other zoos in the country it seems have penguins with them. But what we need to understand is that do we have required facilities and atmosphere that would ensure that these exotic animals would survive here? Little penguins death has left us with this question which we need to address.
— Suhail Ansari, Pydhonie resident

"Unless we do not have proper infrastructure to maintain exotic birds and animals; we should avoid keeping them in zoos and enclosures here. If these animals or birds are brought for study purpose or public attraction; then at the same time the authorities should ensure that necessary arrangements at par with international standards are maintained,"
— Rinkita Gurav, Khar resident

Mumbai's zoo should have exotic animals, which are suited for Indian temperatures and conditions as how else will several people especially children who cannot afford to visit zoo's abroad or in different state's of India will get to see these. However the zoo should have the best facilities and the staff should be well trained in handling animal emergencies.
— Dr Vikas Singh, Dahisar resident

Bringing exotic animal to zoo is not a good idea. Since our zoo does not have expertise in keeping such animals, it is better to bring any more exotic animals in future. These animals cal grows in a particular environment and they also need highly dedicate care. I hope the civic body will think twice before bring another exotic animals as two penguins have already did.
— Amarjeet Singh, Bhandup

Nope. Our weather conditions do not permit them. Even though these were not in that category, Penguins come from different weather conditions than what our city has. They should keep Indian animals and need not get foreign animals for this. According to me all this is a waste of my tax payer's money when it can be used for better health facility for poor and farmers. It is better to spend money there instead of spending on penguins. The fee for zoo is also very high for them. How many families can really spend money every time and go for that?
— Shyama Kulkarni, Bandra resident

It's very disturbing fact to see an animal dying which is supposedly in a care under humans. This exploitation needs to be stopped which is just for the sake of increasing the footfall and entertainment. Rather than bringing exotic animals and birds to increase the footfall, the authority should make changes in the present condition of the zoo. A better facilities should be provided to the animals who are already in the zoo, rather than using the money to bring and maintain exotic animals which are sensitive to survive in our city's climate.
— Smita Bhingarde, resident of Jogeshwari

Yes, we should have exotic animals. We should have sufficient manpower, trained caretakers and enough resources to take care of them in a proper way. Also the visitors coming to see them should not cause harm to them directly or indirectly.
— Viral Mistry, Dahisar.

EXPERT SPEAK

I don't see a problem with bringing exotic animals from other Zoos. This is highly educational and people from all walks of life get to learn about all these creatures by observing them from close. No other zoo has penguins and Mumbai managed to breed penguins, which was a path breaking attempt and already Mumbai zoo's has exotic animals like hippos, emu and others living and breeding.
— Anand Pendharkar, Naturalist and Founder of Sprouts

The zoo should not have brought the Penguins in the first place, so question of whether they can bring any more is redundant. First, we are just not ready for such exotic species - not the right weather, no trained personnel, poor record of mortality of even local animals and pathetic maintenance of facility. Second, it is time for the concept of zoos to be destroyed - in an era of Animal Planet and YouTube, citing zoo for education is stupidity. In any case, our zoos do little to educate, they only display, and make a poor show of it!
— Anand Siva, Animal rights activist