Rare species introduced to Karachi zoo

Some new inhabitants, some feathered and others furry, were introduced to the Karachi Zoological Garden and these rare species of animals immediately attracted the attention of visitors. 

The administration has inducted a pair of miniature horses to the zoo, which had a market value of Rs800,000. However, this pair was donated to the zoo management. The inducted Miniature Horse Pair were around four-years old and stood at a height of 28 inches. 

Likewise, a pair of white parrots, Moluccan Cockatoos to precise, were also welcomed to the garden. These birds came in from Australia and this species was also donated to the zoo. This particular parrot maintained a market value of around Rs260,000. The zoo has also been blessed with a marshal eagle as a donation. This is a very large bird with a length of 76–96 cm (30–38 in), a weight of 3–6.2 kg (6.6–14 lb) and a wingspan of 188–227 cm (6.17–7.45 ft). The eagle is most commonly found in Africa.

Director of the Zoo, Bashir Saddozai, informed The News on Saturday that the administration has made 12 projects costs (PC-1) which would materialise in the current and coming fiscal year. He said the entire cost of all these PCs is around Rs170 million.

Saddozai said the management planned to renovate and reactivate the lake with system of rotating water. It spans over an area of half a kilometer and the director added that motorboats would operate in the lake. Each of these boats would have the capacity to carry eight children. He said Rs10 would be charged from each child to enjoy this facility. 

According to him, the entire project has a PC-1 of around Rs17 million. The boating facility had been abandoned some 25 years ago, but the management made a rowing boat operational again to provide entertainment for children. He said lights would also be installed inside the zoo on four kilometer-long roads, besides the construction of 30 new toilets. Fifteen of them would be for women and the same number for men. 

Saddozai said 10 to 15 close circuit surveillance cameras would be installed inside the zoo for security purposes. He said the management has also planned to construct a food court where some international fast food chains would be asked to open their outlets to maintain the quality of food.

“A gift shop for visitors has also been planned by the management,” he added. Besides these improvements, the zoo is also buying six new cages for large animals like lions and tigers. The director said the administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is very keen to uplift the standard of the zoo and all these measures are being taken on his directives. 

The secretary environment of the Government of Sindh has asked the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) to remove its hydrant which is situated at the main entrance of the zoo.


http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=93440&Cat=4&dt=2/19/2012