National Zoo Policy

Preamble

1.1 The growing awareness for nature & wildlife conservation has

made zoos a popular institution. Estimates indicate that 10% of the

world’s population visit zoos every year. There are about 350 animal

collections in India, which are visited by more than 50 million people

annually.

1.2 While there is a history of scientific interest, conservation and

welfare of captive wild animals in the country, many zoos have

evolved from menageries and private collections, and most zoos until

the last two decades were set up mainly for entertainment and

recreation. As wildlife resources were abundant in the past, scientific

knowledge about the behavioral and biological requirements of animals

did not receive adequate attention, with the result that scientific

management of wild animals in captivity has evolved slowly.

1.3 The need for making conservation as one of the main objectives of

management of zoos was realized by Government of India soon after

independence and the Indian Board of Wildlife made important

recommendations in this regard. The Government set up an Expert

Committee on Management of Zoos in Noverber,1972 and its

recommendations were accepted in June,1973. The recommendations

are relevant even now for improving the management of Zoos. The

National Wildlife Action Plan of 1983 again emphasized the role of exsitu

conservation in national conservation efforts. However, because of

varied ownership patterns and divergent nature of animal collections

not much was achieved.

1.4 Today when wildlife habitats are under severe pressure and a large

number of species of wild fauna have become endangered, the zoos

have not only to sustain their own populations but also augment the

depleting populations of endangered species in the wild. This new role

has been acknowledged by the global conservation community and

Article 9 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

1.5 As zoos are visited by a large number of visitors, zoos are a point

a potent tool for education people about the close linkage between

protection of natural areas and maintaining the life supporting

processes of nature. Well-planned and appropriately designed zoos can

sensitize visitors to the dangers of a hostile or indifferent attitude

towards nature.

1.6 In India, many well designed zoos were set up in some of the

States but for the most part, zoos have not been able to meet the

challenges imposed by the changing scenario and still continue with

the legacy of past i.e. displaying animals to the animals nor educative

and rewarding to the visitors.

1.7 The amendment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, in 1991, provided

for the enforcement of mandatory standards and norms for

management of zoos through the Central Zoo Authority. However, it is

realized that the objectives of the Act can be achieved only through

co-operation and participation of various government agencies, nongovernmental

organisations and people at large.

1.8 The National Zoo Policy aims at giving proper direction and thrust

to the management of zoos by mustering co-operation and

participation of all concerned.

Objective

2.1 The main objective of the zoos shall be to complement and

strengthen the national efforts in conservation and strengthen the

national efforts in conservation of the rich biodiversity of the country,

particularly the fauna. The objective can be achieved through the

following protocol :-

2.1.1 Supporting the conservation of endangered species by giving

species, which have no chance of survival in wild, a last chance of

survival through coordinated breeding under ex-situ condition and

raise stocks for rehabilitating them in wild as and when it is

appropriate and desirable.

2.1.2 To inspire amongst zoo visitors empathy for wild animals, an

understanding and awareness about the need for conservation of

natural resources and for maintaining the ecological balance.

2.1.3 Providing opportunities for scientific studies useful for

conservation in general and creation of database for sharing between

the agencies involved in in-situ and ex-situ conservation

2.1.4 Besides the aforesaid objectives, the zoos shall continue to

function as rescue centres for orphaned wild animals, subject to the

availability of appropriate housing and upkeep infrastructure. Where

appropriate housing and upkeep is not available, State Government

and the Central Government would ascertain setting up rescue

facilities in off-the-display areas of the zoo, subject to the availability

of land.

Strategy for Achieving the Objectives

3.1.1 Since zoos require a significant amount of resources in the form

of land, water, energy and money, no new zoo shall be set up unless a

sustained supply of resources including finance and technical support

are guaranteed.

3.1.2 Zoos shall prepare a long-term master plan for development to

ensure optimum utilisation of the land, water, energy and finance.

3.1.3 Every Zoo shall maintain a healthy, hygienic and natural

environment in the zoo, so that the visitors get an adequate

opportunity to experience a natural environment.

3.1.4 Zoos shall give priority to endangered species in their collection

and breeding plans. The order of preference for selection of species

shall be (in descending order) locality, region, country and other

areas.

3.1.5 Zoos shall regulate the number of animals of various species in

their collection in such a way that each animal serves the objectives of

the zoo. For achieving this objective, a detailed management plan of

every species in the zoo shall be prepared.

3.1.6 Every zoo shall endeavor to avoid keeping single animals of nonviable

sex ratios of any species. They shall cooperate in pooling such

animals into genetically, demographically and socially viable groups at

zoos identified for the purpose.

3.1.7 Zoos shall avoid keeping surplus animals of prolifically breeding

species and if required, appropriate population control measures shall

be adopted.

Acquisitions of Animals

3.2.1 Except for obtaining founder animals for approved breeding

programme and infusion of new blood inbred groups, no zoo shall

collect animals from the wild.

3.2.2 Zoos shall not enter into any transaction involving violation of

the law and provisions of international conventions on wildlife

conservation.

3.2.3 Zoos shall not enter into any transaction in respect of their

surplus animals with any commercial establishment. Even the animal

products should not be utilised for commercial purposes. The trophies

of the animals could, however, be used for educational or scientific

purposes.

Animal Housing

3.3.1 Every animal in a zoo shall be provided housing, upkeep and

health care that can ensure a quality of life and longevity to enable the

zoo population sustain itself through procreation.

3.3.2 The enclosure for all the species displayed or kept in a zoo shall

be of such size that all animals get adequate space for free movement

and exercise and no animal is unduly dominated or harassed by any

other animal.

3.3.3 Each animal enclosure in a zoo shall have appropriate shelters,

perches, withdrawal areas, wallow, pools drinking water points and

such other facilities which can provide the animals a chance to display

the wide range of their natural behaviour as well as protect them from

extremes of climate.

Upkeep of Animal Collections

3.4.1 Zoos shall provide diet to each species, which is similar to its

feed in nature. Where for unavoidable reasons any ingredients have to

be substituted, due care will be taken to ensure that the substitute

fulfills the nutritional requirement of the species.

3.4.2 For the well being of the animals, round the clock supply of

portable drinking water shall be made available to all animals kept in

the zoo.

3.4.3 With the objectives of avoiding human imprinting and

domestication of animals. zoos shall prevent physical handling of

animals by the staff to the extent possible.

3.4.4 Zoos shall not allow any animal to be provoked for tortured for

the the purpose of extracting any performance or tricks for the benefit

of the visitors or for any other reason.

Health Care

3.5.1 Zoos shall ensure availability of the highest standards of

veterinary care to all the animals in their collection.

3.5.2 Adequate measures shall be taken by every zoos for

implementing wildlife health and quarantine rules and regulations.

Appropriate vaccination programmes shall also be taken up for

safeguarding against infectious diseases. Timely action to isolate

infected animals from the zoo population shall be taken to avoid

further spread of disease.

Research And Training

3.6.1 The zoos shall encourage research on the biology, behaviour,

nutrition and veterinary aspects of animals in their collection. They

shall also endeavor for creation of expertise on zoo architecture and

landscape designing, cooperation of recognised institutions already

working in relevant fields in this regard shall be taken.

3.6.2 Zoos shall endeavor for transfer of technical skills available in

the field for zoo personnel. The Central Government, Central Zoo

Authority and State Government shall provide due support to zoos in

these efforts. Assistance of Wildlife Institute and India (WII), India

Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and other institutions within India

and abroad, having appropriate expertise shall be taken in this regard.

3.6.3 Zoos shall also endeavour for dissemination of information on

scientific aspects of management through publication of periodicals,

journals, newsletters and special bulletins. Help of non-governmental

organisation (NGOs) and government institutions shall also be availed

in such efforts. The Central Zoo Authority shall provide technical and

financial support to the India Zoos Directors Association (IZDA) and

other institutions in this regard.

Breeding programme for species

3.7.1Before taking up breeding programmes of any species, zoos shall

clearly identify the objectives for which the breeding programme is

being taken up. The targeted numbers for the programme would be

decided keeping in view the identified objectives.

3.7.2 All zoos shall cooperate in successful implementation of

identified breeding programmes by way of loaning, pooling or

exchanging animals for the programme and help creation of socially,

genetically and demographically viable groups even at the cost of

reducing the number of animals or number of species displayed in

individual zoos.

3.7.3 Breeding programme shall be taken up by zoos after collection of

adequate data like biology, behaviour and other demo-graphic factors

affecting the programme. including the minimum number of founder

animals and the quantum of housing facilities available.

3.7.4 Programmes for breeding of zoo animals for re-introduction in

the wild shall be taken up after getting approval of the State

Government, the Central Zoo Authority and the Central Government as

the case may be.

3.7.5 Zoos shall give priority in their breeding programmes to

endangered species representing the zoo-geographic zones in which

they are located.

3.7.6 For carrying out breeding programmes in a scientific and planned

manner the zoo shall mark every individual animals involved in the

programme in an appropriate manner and maintain appropriate

records.

3.7.7 Zoos shall take utmost precaution to prevent inbreeding. They

shall avoid artificial selection of traits and make no explicit or implicit

attempts to interbreed various genera, species and sub-species.

3.7.8 Special efforts shall be made to avoid human imprinting of the

stocks raised for reintroduction purposes by providing off exhibit

breeding facilities.

Education and Outreach Activity

3.8.1 Each zoo should have a well drawn-up plan for education the

visitors as well as other in the community. Zoos shall keep a close

liaison with other ex-situ facilities in this regard.

3.8.2 The central theme of the zoo education programme being the

linkage between the survival of various species and protection of their

natural habitat, enclosures which allow the animals to display natural

behaviour are crucial to zoo education. Zoo shall, therefore, display

animals in such enclosures only where the animals do not suffer

physiological and psychological restraint.

3.8.3 Attractive and effective signage methods and interactive displays

to explain activities of various species to visitors, published education

material and audio-visual devices are proven methods for driving

home the conservation’s message. A formal education programme

should also be persuaded for strengthening the education message.

3.8.4 Beside signage, the zoos shall also use guided tours, talks by

knowledgeable persons and audio-visual shows for effectively

communicating the message for conservation to the visitors.

3.8.5 The help of universities, colleges and non-governmental

organisation shall be taken to educate the students about the benefits

of supporting nature conservation programmes.

Extension Activities

3.9.1 To provide the urban population with a window to nature and to

serve as green lungs for the polluting environment, zoos shall extend

their expertise and help to State Governments and local authorities to

create nature parks extending over extensive areas near big cities.

Amenities to Visitors

3.10.1 Zoo shall provide basic civic amenities to the visitors like

toilets, drinking water points, shelters and first-aid facilities. Ramps

shall also be provided for the benefit of visitors in wheel chairs for

approach to animal enclosure and other civic amenities.

3.10.2 Zoos shall not provide any infrastructure for

recreation/entertainment of visitors that is inconsistent with the stated

objective of zoos.

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URL : http://www.envfor.nic.in/mef/nzp.pdf