The zoological gardens in the State will soon be taking up the challenge of educating the people in their surroundings on issues of human-animal conflict and conservation.
These zoos in North, Central and Southern Karnataka will be emulating the ‘Mysuru zoo model’, which has been at the forefront of conservation education, to spread awareness among the public, especially among schoolchildren, on how to respond to human-animal conflict and contribute in addressing the problem, by spreading relevant information.
The Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), under whose jurisdiction the small and mini-zoos function, besides major ones such as Mysuru zoo and the Bannerghatta Biological Park, has resolved to start interactions and a lecture series in mini- and small zoos to bring matters on wildlife, conflict management and issues that require the support of the Forest Department into the public domain.
“On many occasions we have seen leopard cubs being separated from their mothers by the public. People find the cubs in fields and forest fringes and assume they have been abandoned. The mother would have gone in search of food,” explained ZAK Member Secretary B.P. Ravi.
He told The Hindu that the public commits such mistakes out of ignorance which ends up in the cubs being orphaned and shifted either to the zoo or the rescue centre where they could die of complications. “We need to leave certain things to nature instead of human intervention that often results in conflicts and threats to wildlife,” he stressed.
Bearing the responsibility of sensitising people on issues concerning wildlife, zoos will hold talks by experts, biologists, others in the field; organise youth club activities for children, and more, he told The Hindu.
Mr. Ravi said small zoos in Gadag, Chitradurga and Shivamogga Lion and Tiger Safari would be launching the initiative, as there have been several instances of the conflict in these areas too.
He said ZAK was launching veterinary clinics in Hampi and Gadag zoos as a measure to respond to rescue calls for wild animals in conflict zones. Usually, when there was any delay in responding to the calls, the situations became quite challenging. Recently, a veterinarian had to be rushed to Chitradurga from Mysuru to rescue a sloth bear that had strayed into human habitat. Similar was a case in Belagavi where a veterinarian had to be sent from the Shivamogga safari. “We need to reduce risk to wildlife with quick response for emergency calls. Understanding the difficulties and needs, ZAK has started developing infrastructure and appointing veterinarians in all zoos for faster response and addressing local issues affecting the wildlife effectively,” he explained.
Two full-fledged veterinary hospitals would be opened at Hampi and Gadag zoos shortly, Mr. Ravi added.
