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Beastly Existence

Beastly Existence " what is the big fuss about 12 tigers dying?" This insensitive statement of A P Singh, Orissa's environment and forest minister reflects and adequately sums up the attitude of the bureaucracy towards wildlife in the country. With the authorities displaying such a total lack of concern for the animals in their custody, what improvements can be expected in the functioning of Indian zoos? The malaise is too deep. Zoo experts in India feel that there are too many forces - political, social, economic - working against the zoos and the managers which bar them from functioning efficiently. The pathetic management of zoos came into focus after the Nandankanan incident in which an epidemic killed 12 tigers. Many such tragedies are waiting to happen at zoos all around India.

After every tragedy a number of questions are raised. Among those that demand urgent answers is what purpose do zoos serve? According to the notification of the Central Zoo Authority ( cza ) in 1992: "The primary objective of operating any zoo shall be the conservation of wildlife

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