PANAJI
As a part of the facelift of Bondla Zoo, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved designs of new enclosures for leopards, gaurs and the gaur conservation breeding unit.
The project is part of the master plan for the Bondla Zoological Park, which was approved by CZA in November 2022. The plan, which was being drafted since 2008, focuses on the holistic and integrated development of the zoo.
The Bondla zoo currently houses 12 gaurs -- eight females and four males. “We had moved the proposal for renovation and design of the enclosures as the CZA nod is a must,” official said.
The official informed that the department is in the process of working on designs for new enclosures for four more species that are wild dogs, jungle cats, porcupines, and mouse deer. “This will be taken up in the upcoming financial year,” the official said.
Official, however maintained, that though the zoo reported death of jungle cats, the enclosure would still be developed for future procurement cum exchange. Earlier this month, the Zoo saw the death of five animals - three civet cats and two jungle cats.
According to the master plan, new enclosures will be also built for animals like tigers and sambar, along with other upgrades to showcase the diverse fauna of the Western Ghats.
A grand entrance plaza, high-quality restaurants, recreational activities, a play area for children and other facilities are also being worked upon as part of the plan, official said.
Meanwhile, the zoo at the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary currently participates in ex situ (outside a natural location) conservation of the state animal, gaur (Indian bison) in cooperation with the notified conservation centre, Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysuru Zoo, as per the guidelines laid down by the CZA.
The ex situ conservation method involves conserving wildlife species in an environment that mimics their natural living habitats. As a result, the gaurs bred in Goa can be channelled through Mysuru Zoo for international animal exchange.
