The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Visitors causing nuisance at zoo

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Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Visitors causing nuisance at zoo

Staff Reporter

Authorities urged to check those throwing things at the animals

Railings are as good as non-existent
Warning signs are ignored by visitors

Shattering peace: Visitors trying to distract birds in the aviary at Nehru Zoological Park.

Hyderabad: A sleeping white tiger at the Nehru Zoological Park is suddenly woken up by a group of pestering visitors. He yawns, bares his teeth and settles down some where else. But not all animals in the zoo can afford to avoid the unending nuisance from visitors.

Those thronging the zoo may have the thrill of looking at wild animals up close in their ‘natural surroundings’. Their enthusiasm is evident in the way they try to attract the animal’s attention. The animals put up with all the whistling, cat calls, loud noise and laughter from the visitors. Instead of striking back, they choose to avoid the disturbing groups who continue to shout and throw things in the enclosures.

Poor enclosures

Moreover, many enclosures have railings that are as good as not having them as people casually step in and lean on the wired mesh trying to call animals.

Other enclosures are barricaded with boulders that have become seats for most children, who lean out towards the animals. “It’s disturbing to see people trying to attract the attention of animals.

Zoo authorities should keep a stringent check on such activities. It is very evident in the behaviour of the animals that they are disturbed,” says M. Vijay, a regular visitor.

What’s worse is that many people are seen standing on the railing and taunting animals by hitting the wired mesh repeatedly. However, the guards who are supposed to be stationed at the cages to keep a check on such behaviour, are often seen sitting on benches chatting away.

The sheer insensitivity of visitors is clearly visible when they throw things into the enclosures of animals, much to the ire of animal-keepers.

Spreading litter

“They do not listen to us when we try to stop them from throwing things into the enclosure. When the visiting time is over and the animals are locked in their cages, we find gutka packets, samosas and biscuits. We have also find bottles and plastic covers containing food, which could be a threat to the animals if they eat it,” says an animal-keeper pleading anonymity.

Even though warning signs have been put at many a spot in the zoo, people ignore them and continue with the pestering.

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