ISLAMABAD: City managers have decided to upgrade the Marghazar Zoo besides adding a pair of lions and one elephant to the facility.

“The environment wing is working on the upgradation and development plan of the zoo. Under the plan, more birds and animal species, including a pair of lions and one elephant, will be added to the zoo,” said a press release issued on Sunday.

When contacted, CDA member environment Sanaullah Aman said under a swap deal the Punjab government had agreed to give a pair of lions to the CDA in return for a pair of zebras and three barking deer.

He said talks were also on final stages with the Sri Lankan government to get a female elephant from the Island country.

Zoo lacks proper facilities as no major development work carried out for years

It may be mentioned that the cage of lions in the zoo has been lying vacant for over 10 years.

The elephant Kavaan, whose partner died in 2012, is also waiting for a partner since then. On several occasions in the past, the CDA made announcements to arrange pairs of lions and an elephant but no progress was made.

When asked about the deadline for arranging the lions and an elephant, the member environment said: “Within one month you will see lions roaring in their cages while a period of two months is required for bringing the female elephant from Sri Lanka.”

He said for the upgradation of the zoo the civic agency would call an expression of interests from national and international firms within a week. “I can’t say anything about the announcements made in the past but we are very serious to upgrade the zoo.”

He said the authority was taking steps for the development of the zoo, adding the provision of suitable conditions for different species of birds and animals had also been ensured.

Spread over 25 acres in the foothills of Margalla Hills, the zoo was opened in 1978. However, no mega development work has been carried out for many years. In 2008, a PC-1 worth Rs1,407 million was prepared for the expansion of the zoo to 82 acres with bigger cages and enclosures for the animals. However, the project could not be executed. Currently, there are 824 birds of 42 species and 93 animals in the zoo. In the meanwhile, apparently due to the poor condition as well as alleged negligence of the staff, several animals died, including Saheli, the female elephant, a zebra and two ostriches. The last ostrich died a few weeks ago but so far the CDA has not ordered an inquiry into the death.

“I have forwarded the case to the human resource department for initiating an inquiry to ascertain the causes of the ostrich’s death. The postmortem report is yet to be received as normally it takes a month,” said the director zoo, Abdul Rashid Khan.

Animal rights activists have been demanding the zoo’s upgradation besides the expansion of the enclosure for the elephant that is being chained in a shabby cage.

The press release quoted the member administration, Amer Ali Ahmed, as stating: “On the directions of the chairman CDA, the upgradation and development work in the zoo is being carried out on a priority basis.”

He said not only different species of birds and animals would be added to the zoo but also modern facilities would be provided in the zoo to facilitate the visitors.

Member environment Sanaullah Aman said the veterinary doctor of the zoo had been directed to take proper care about the food and health of the animals in the facility.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2016