Visitors mistreat lone python at zoo, activists file plaint

A Mumbai-based animal welfare NGO has registered complaints with the BMC and Veermata Jijabai Bhosale (VJB) Zoo about visitors harassing a lone python, by flinging coins at it in its enclosure to bring them good luck.

Sunish Subramanian Kunju, Secretary PAWS-Mumbai said that he was surprised to see some visitors flinging coins at the python. "I saw that while some visitors casually threw coin in the enclosure some made attempts numerous times to ensure the coin touched the python that was sitting coiled in a hollow trunk. When I asked a few of them, they said that throwing coins on a python's body brings prosperity and good luck," he said, adding that he has even submitted images that show several coins lying inside the enclosure.

He said that there were no caretakers or security personnel to stop people from throwing the coins. "The python is a protected species and under section 38 (J) of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 it is an offence to tease, injure or cause disturbance to animals in the zoo. A violator can be face imprisonment up to six months, a fine or both," he said.

Dr Sanjay Tripathi, Director of VJB Zoo affirming the problem said that the guards deputed stop people from throwing coins in the enclosure and have even asked some visitors to leave the zoo premises but it is extremely difficult to keep an eye on every single move made by every single visitor visiting the python enclosure.

"We request animal welfare NGOs, who keep complaining about such errant visitors and their behaviour that disturbs animals, to come and help us create awareness among visitors so that such incidences can be reduced," he said.