Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 6: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun executing its ambitious Rs 490 crore project to introduce exotic wildlife as part of the expansion of Byculla’s Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo. The development, spread across around 10 acres adjacent to the existing premises, will feature continent-themed exhibits representing Africa, America, Asia and Australia with species native to these regions.
According to a senior BMC official, the civic body will be issuing individual procurement tenders for animals planned under this expansion. Authorities will initially explore the availability of these species in other Indian zoos in order to acquire them through exchange programmes. In cases where animals are not available domestically, international tenders may be floated.
Officials stated that conservation remains the core objective of the project rather than simply displaying animals for public attraction. Each enclosure is being designed to replicate natural habitats and fulfil behavioural, dietary and environmental needs of the species concerned. Among the animals proposed for the new zones are pumas, emus, black swans, lorikeets, meerkats, tamarins, marmosets, tortoises, giant anteaters, giraffes, hippopotamus, white lions, cheetahs, chimpanzees, ring-tailed lemurs, gorillas, oryx, black jaguars, zebras and wallabies. These animals fall across varied conservation categories ranging from least concern to critically endangered, while the Arabian oryx is listed as extinct in the wild.
The upgraded visitor experience will include improved entrance areas, restrooms, visitor shelters, a souvenir shop and even a cheetah-themed restaurant. The enclosures will include dedicated viewing galleries with protective railings, artificial rock formations and interpretive signage to provide information about each species. The habitat zones will feature customised paddock spaces with specific soil requirements like red earth and white sand, along with plantations, water bodies, creepers and shaded areas depending on the needs of the animals. Resting and holding areas will be designed to ensure enrichment and medical care.
As the zoo currently lacks adequate expertise in handling exotic species, the contracting agency will be responsible for providing a senior veterinarian, a veterinarian, a curator and trained keepers. A comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure has already been drafted, detailing feeding schedules, nutrition requirements, medical check-ups, parasite control and hygiene protocols for each species.
Officials clarified that this is the first major attempt to establish exotic animal enclosures on such a scale at the Byculla zoo. The project is expected to be completed within 36 months from commencement, marking a major milestone in Mumbai’s efforts to upgrade zoo facilities to international standards.