The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Threats from within for big cats in enclosures

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 25, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Threats from within for big cats in enclosures

P. Oppili

Corroded iron rods injure several animals; repair works to be taken up soon

DANGER ZONE: The `Rescue and Rehabilitation' Centre near the Vandalur Zoo. — Photo: A. Muralitharan

CHENNAI: Big cats housed in the lions' enclosures at the Rescue Centre near the Vandalur Zoo are faced with a threat from within — corroded iron rods.

Zoo sources said the bars in the passage portion inside some of the enclosures were corroded due to long-term exposure to animal urine. A few damaged iron rods protruded menacingly.

Most animals that passed through the passagesustained injuries. Already, about half-a-dozen lions have been injured due to their frames grazing against the rods. For some animals, the wounds led to pus formation and attracted maggots.

When contacted, zoo authorities said the animals were constantly under the expert care of vets.

Sources also point out that the chain link fence provided to cover the open area, where the lions and tigers are released during daytime, is inadequate. At present, the single wire mesh fencing will not hold against a swipe by an animal.

A breach in the fence can, if big enough, result in animals squeezing through. A smaller hole can also injure animals that attempt to wriggle through, the sources said.

Set up eight years ago, to accommodate lions and tigers rescued from circuses, the Centre is now home to 49 lions and eight tigers.

Zoo authorities said they had already asked for funds from the Central Zoo authority of India to take up repair works at the Rescue Centre. A senior officer said: "We have given the estimate for taking up the painting and welding the corroded portions. We expect to start work."

Undertaking repair works gains urgency in the context of proposals to create a night safari adjacent to the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.

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