Strategy soon for handling captive elephants

January 25, 2011 12:53 am | Updated 12:55 am IST - CHENNAI:

V.Iraianbu,Department of Environment and Forests Department Secretary releasing a CD and it was received by B.S.Bonal, Member- Secretary,Central Zoo Authority of India at a workshop in Chennai on Monday.S.R.Srinivasan ,Dean,Faculty of asic Science,Madras Veterinary College and R.Prabakaran ,Vice Chancellor,TANUVAS (second from right), are in the picture. Photo: K .Pichumani

V.Iraianbu,Department of Environment and Forests Department Secretary releasing a CD and it was received by B.S.Bonal, Member- Secretary,Central Zoo Authority of India at a workshop in Chennai on Monday.S.R.Srinivasan ,Dean,Faculty of asic Science,Madras Veterinary College and R.Prabakaran ,Vice Chancellor,TANUVAS (second from right), are in the picture. Photo: K .Pichumani

The State government will soon come out with draft guidelines for maintenance of captive elephants, said Environment and Forests Department Secretary V. Irai Anbu on Monday.

Delivering the inaugural address at a national workshop on ‘Protocol for the veterinary care and safety of wild animals during transportation with special reference to deer species,' he said that the Chief Wildlife Warden had submitted a draft, which was being considered.

“Though there are lot of guidelines for maintenance of wild animals in captivity, this protocol has been evolved based on the experiences to make them effective. Every animal has a territory and will like to remain in the same place. They experience anxiety at the time of transportation and in new places. We have to be sensitive to their feelings, study their nature and follow the laws strictly.”

Mr. Anbu released a CD on ‘Digital field guide for vets on important avian species,' and said that the State government was taking steps to maintain forests and wildlife so that the future generations could learn from it.

Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) Vice-Chancellor R. Prabakaran said that the proposed construction of Chennai Metro Rail Ltd Corporate Office and other facilities would result in relocation of 34 spotted deer.

“We have written to the authorities to shift these deer from Nandanam to an appropriate place. I have lived here for the last 10 years and the numbers have risen from 10 to 30. They are a very sensitive species and it takes a lot to transport them without injury.”

Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA) Member Secretary B.S. Bonal released the compendium and said that they had initiated a planned conservation breeding programme for 18 of the 73 endangered species in zoos. They also provided financial assistance to take the breeding programme to the next level.

On the final day, recommendation with regard to protocol for wild animals associated with transport, especially for deer, will be arrived at and sent to CZA for overall adoption throughout the country, he said.

About 30 veterinarians from different parts of the country are taking part in the four-day workshop jointly organised by CZA and TANUVAS in collaboration with Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur.

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