CZA lifts six-year ban on breeding in Byculla zoo

The central zoo authority has decided to allow animal breeding in the 150-year-old Veermata Jijabai Udyan and Zoo. There had been a stop on breeding since six years.

The high court in 2005 had ordered the zoo to put a stop on reproduction amongst animals. However, the CZA directed the zoo to maintain such conditions which can ensure planned animal breeding in the zoo premises.

The CZA has issued guidelines to the zoo officials to maintain a sex ratio of 2:5 amongst all species. “The CZA direction will help us uplift the zoo’s condition. Breeding amongst animals will lead to a healthier animal count,” said Anil Anjankar, zoo director. This will help us keep the new species intact, he added.

Due to the six-year ban, a majority of animals have no progeny and are bordering their life expectancy. With a limited number of younger breed of animals and 80% turning old, the zoo had been heading towards extinction.

“The ban on breeding was affecting the zoo. There is also a ban on buying animals in India. We can only exchange animals with other zoos. But with most aging, we could not even exercise this option,” said Dr Sanjay Tripathi, Byculla zoo veterinarian.

Around 18 new animal species found in India, which includes the hyena, Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, wolf, leopard and sloth bear, and five exotic ones — the zebra, humboldt penguin, jaguar, hippopotamus and emu — to be housed in the revamped zoo can be multiplied. Existing species of animals will also be allowed to breed.