Lok Sabha Question No. 253 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Death of Wild Animals
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: RANJANBEN BHATT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 253

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2017

## Death of Wild Animals

## 253. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will  the  Minister  of  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND  CLIMATE  CHANGE  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the wild animals in zoos located in different parts of the country are dying due to heat and cold;
- (b) if  so,  the  details of such deaths in different zoos in the country including Delhi Zoo during the last one year;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to take any steps to save these wild animals; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) & (b) Extreme  heat  and  cold  condition  affect  the  health  of  wildlife  in  zoos,  which sometimes results in their death. Details on deaths due to heat and cold of wild animals kept in the recognised zoos in the country, as per their Annual Inventory Report for year 2016-17, are  given at Annexure-I .  No  death  of  animals  due  to heat and cold has been received from Delhi Zoo.
- (c) & (d) Yes  Madam.  The  Government  have  taken  following  steps  for  upkeep  and healthcare of animals housed in zoos across the country:
1. The Government of India framed Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009 for health, upkeep and veterinary care of the animals.
2. An advisory has been issued to all the States to constitute a Health Advisory Committee  to  advise  the  zoo  operators  in  the  State  on  Animal  Healthcare related matters and with a mandate to visit the zoos at least once every three months to monitor compliance with the Rules regarding upkeep and healthcare of animals.
3. The  Indian  Veterinary  Research  Institute,  Bareilly  has  been  designated  as National  Referral  Centre  for  extending  necessary  help  to  the  zoos  in  the country for health and veterinary care of the captive wild animals.
4. The Government of India (Central Zoo Authority) regularly evaluates all the zoos recognised under Section 38H(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and directs the zoos to construct enclosures for animals to protect from harsh climatic conditions.
5. The  action  has  been  taken  against  the  zoos  not  meeting  the  norms  and standards specified under the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.

## Reply to Part (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. †253 regarding 'Death of Wild Animals' due for reply on 18.07.2017

| Deaths reported by recognised zoos due to heat and cold, per Annual Inventory Report for year 2016-17 of animals housed therein,   | Deaths reported by recognised zoos due to heat and cold, per Annual Inventory Report for year 2016-17 of animals housed therein,   | Deaths reported by recognised zoos due to heat and cold, per Annual Inventory Report for year 2016-17 of animals housed therein,   | Deaths reported by recognised zoos due to heat and cold, per Annual Inventory Report for year 2016-17 of animals housed therein,   | Deaths reported by recognised zoos due to heat and cold, per Annual Inventory Report for year 2016-17 of animals housed therein,   | Deaths reported by recognised zoos due to heat and cold, per Annual Inventory Report for year 2016-17 of animals housed therein,   |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No .                                                                                                                            | State                                                                                                                              | Name and location of Zoo                                                                                                           | Species                                                                                                                            | No. of death s                                                                                                                     | Reported reason for death                                                                                                          |
| 1                                                                                                                                  | Andhra Pradesh                                                                                                                     | Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Tirupati                                                                                         | White ibis                                                                                                                         | 10                                                                                                                                 | heat stroke                                                                                                                        |
| 2                                                                                                                                  | Gujarat                                                                                                                            | Sayajibaug Zoo, Vadodara                                                                                                           | Nilgai                                                                                                                             | 1                                                                                                                                  | heat stroke                                                                                                                        |
| 3                                                                                                                                  | Haryana                                                                                                                            | Mini Zoo, Bhiwani                                                                                                                  | Long snouted crocodile                                                                                                             | 10                                                                                                                                 | cold stroke                                                                                                                        |
| 4                                                                                                                                  | Jharkhand                                                                                                                          | Jawaharlal Nehru Biological Park, Bokaro                                                                                           | Nilgai                                                                                                                             | 1                                                                                                                                  | heat stroke.                                                                                                                       |
| 5                                                                                                                                  | Madhya Pradesh                                                                                                                     | Gandhi Zoological Park, Gwalior                                                                                                    | Kalij pheasant                                                                                                                     | 1                                                                                                                                  | cardiac arrest caused by heat stroke                                                                                               |
| 6                                                                                                                                  | Madhya Pradesh                                                                                                                     | Van Vihar National Park Zoo, Bhopal                                                                                                | Gaur                                                                                                                               | 1                                                                                                                                  | heat stroke                                                                                                                        |
|                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                    | Grand total                                                                                                                        |                                                                                                                                    | 24                                                                                                                                 |                                                                                                                                    |