February 6, 2002

'30'

INTENSIVE SEARCH ON TO TRAP THE WILD ANIMAL ROAMING IN VANDALUR ZOO

SHRI BAALU’S DIRECTIVE TO SENIOR OFFICIALS TO HELP AND GUIDE THE SEARCH

    Intensive efforts are on to trap the wild animal reportedly roaming freely in Vandalur Zoo area near Chennai. The search follows a directive by the Minister for Environment and Forests, Shri T.R. Baalu on reports in some Newspapers few days back that a lioness is roaming freely in the area. According to these reports, a motorist spotted the animal near the veterinary hospital of the zoo in the evening of 22nd January, 2002. Subsequently, the Zoo Director carried out physical verification of all carnivores in the stock of the zoo and no animal was found missing.

    On the basis of the news, Shri Baalu asked the Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife), Shri S.C. Sharma to visit the zoo personally. Shri Sharma visited the zoo on 26th January and had detailed discussions with the zoo authorities and visited the site for appraisal of pugmarks. The pugmarks resembled more to those of a panther than to a lion. The Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Tamil Nadu, was also requested to check the lions of a private Circus, which is performing in the metropolis. The Chief Wildlife Warden subsequently informed that no lion was missing in the possession of the Circus Company. A plan for combing the area and capturing the animal had also been discussed.

    It is worth mentioning that the zoo extends over an area of more than 400 hectares and a substantial part of it is under forest cover. The area also has a large number of spotted deer. Under these circumstances, the animal can manage to sustain itself on the prey base available in the area. In the past, there have been instances of panthers straying into cities, in different parts of the country.

    As per the directions of the Minister of Environment and Forests; Shri P.R. Sinha, Member Secretary of the Central Zoo Authority, has proceeded to Chennai to extend necessary assistance to conduct a search to capture the animal. Shri Rajesh Gopal, Director (Project Tiger) and Inspector General of Forests who has long experience as Field Director in Kanha Tiger Project, Madhya Pradesh; has also been directed to join Mr. Sinha. Both the officers will help and guide the wildlife wing of the Tamil Nadu government and the Zoo Administration in locating the animal.