Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organization - ZOO'S PRINT · Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organization ......

Date of Publication: 26 May 2014

Vol. XXIX, No. 5, May 2014 ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online)

Magazine of Zoo Outreach Organization

Children with their depictions of "Zoos & Aquariums for 350" project in the Art in Nature workshop on International Day for Biodiversity 2014, Tata Steel Zoological Park, Pp. 1-4

Magazine of Zoo Outreach OrganizationVol. XXIX, No. 5, May 2014 ISSN 0971-6378 (Print); 0973-2543 (Online)

CBSG South Asia and Zoo Outreach Organization joins “Wild Face of Climate Change” -350.org climate change movement, R. Marimuthu, Pp. 1-4

Report of the Invertebrate Conservation Sub-committee meeting: 11-12 April 2014, B.A. Daniel, Pp. 5-6

Awareness Campaign Against Ritual Hunting - Sumansa v/v Vishu Sendra, Participation of Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur in association with Forest Department, Government of Jharkhand against ritual hunting (Vishu Sendra) at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary by NGO Sumansa, Seema Rani, Pp. 7-10.

Workplace Safety - Part I (from Zookeeping An Introduction to the Science and Technology), Ed Hansen, Pp. 11-13

Addition of Orchid Eulophia pratensis Lindl. to the Flora of Nashik district, Maharashtra, India, Jatin J. Shrivastava, G.S.Chaudhari and Tanveer A. Khan, Pp. 14-15

Rescue, Rearing & Rehabilitation of Alexandrine Parakeets - success story of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, G. Ramalingam, Pp. 16-19

Some Death Incidents of Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) at Jahangirnagar University Campus, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Ashis Kumar Datta, Pp. 20-21

Monkey Management in Kanpur Zoological Park,U.C. Srivastava, R.K. Singh and Swati Gupta, Pp. 22-25

Announcement: International Species Information System - Vacancies, P. 25

Treatment of Traumatic Myiasis of Indian Lion (Panthera leo) at Chittagong Zoo, Md. M.M. Chowdhury, M.S.H. Suvo, M.S.I. Khanand M.R. Begum, Pp. 26-27

Teaching Biodiversity in Freshwater wetlands - A field based teaching strategy for school students, R. Alexandar and G. Poyyamoli, Pp. 28-33

My Volunteering experience at Jamshedpur Zoological Park, Jayashree Ram Mohan, Pp. 34-35

BOOK REVIEW: Butterflies on the roof of the world: A memoir, Reviewed by Milind D. Patil, P. 36

Announcement: The 41st Annual AAZK National Conference, Orlando, FL, September 8-12, 2014, Back cover

Contents

CBSG South Asia and ZOO Joins “Wild Face of Climate Change”, Pp. 1-4

Awareness Campaign Against Ritual Hunting, Pp. 7-10

Teaching Biodiversity in Freshwater wetlands , Pp. 28-33

ZOO’s PRINT, Volume XXIX, Number 5 May 2014 1

The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group IUCN SSC CBSG launched “Zoos and Aquariums for 350” climate change movement at annual meeting in October 2013. Many zoos and aquariums joined in this movement and began implementing this at their respec-tive institutions and also communicating this to the public.

CBSG requested zoos, aquariums and CBSG regional networks to join in showing the 350.org’s Wild face of Climate Change on 22 May 2014 in photos coinciding with the Int’l Day for Biological Diversity.

The objective demonstrated the zoo and aquarium community’s participation in the 350 move-ment, and to communicate to public on change and how it affects species. Also zoos could organize 350 focused education programmes for their visitors, etc.

CBSG, South Asia and ZOO promoted the 350 movement in India by inviting by email and phone calls to zoo personnel that responded with 350 project photos: http://www.cbsg.org/content/wild-face-climate-change and https://www.facebook.com/zoosand aquariumsfor350.

CBSG, SA and ZOO conducted a programme at the VOC Park Zoo photographing animals susceptible to climate change impact. We emailed them to CBSG, SSC, IUCN web site. Also we conducted an awareness programme on 350 climate change movement to communicate the zookeepers and the public about climate change and how it affects species as well human beings. They learned 350.org is a global climate movement, dedicated to bring safe down atmospheric CO2 level to 350 parts per million from its current level of 400 ppm for the improvement of species live on the earth.

Dr. Asokan, Director, VOC Park Zoo coordinated the event. We thank the Commissioner, Coimbatore Corporation for granting permission.

CBSG South Asia and Zoo Outreach Organization joins “Wild Face of Climate Change” -350.org climate change movementR. Marimuthu and B.A. Daniel

Individual can save electricity, water, usage of transport, usage of paper and trees, recycling the waste from the kitchen and rainwater harvesting to reduce the carbon footprint.

Photos by B.A. Daniel.

In the end about 500 visitors and keepers learned about a list of actions they could do for to combat climate change.

VOC Park Zoo decorated with 350 logos everywhere

http://www.cbsg.org/content/wild-face-climate-change




https://www.facebook.com/zoosandaquariumsfor350





Other programmes and comments from some zoos in India

National Zoological Park, New DelhiOn 22nd May we celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity at the National Zoological Park in the elephant enclosure along with animal caretakers and school students from Faith Academy School, John L. Dorsey Road Prasad Nagar, New Delhi.

The slogan 350 means that we should go back to the 'safe' 350 ppm of Carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. Scientists say that it is the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmos-phere and contributes to climate change. Right now, the atmosphere contains about 400 ppm of CO2 and is increasing every year. At 400 ppm of CO2 in our atmosphere, we are already seeing problems related to climate change, from the melting of the arctic to increasing extreme weather events. If we stay on our current pathway, CO2 levels will continue to rise climate change will continue to progress.

The programme was conducted with the support of Zoo Outreach Organization. The Programme was well covered by media.Saurabh Vashisth and R.A. Khan (Curator, Education)<[email protected]>

Mahendra Chaudhury Zoological Park, Chhatbir, PunjabMCZP, Chhatbir acknowledged Zoo Outreach Organization’s request to join and showing the 350.org wild face of Climate Change. We took photos of Sarus crane and Barking deer with 350 logo. Both the species are endangered and like other species they need us to act to get the atmospheric CO2

back to a “safe” 350ppm. While taking photo shots, we communicated our visitors about the 350-climate change movement and individual’s role to combat the climate change. Submitted by: Mr. Harpal Singh, Block Officer. Email: [email protected]

Barking deer zookeeper at Mahendra Chaudhury Zoological Park proudly poses with his contribution to the 350 project.

Both senior officers and zoo keepers have fun with the 350 slogan and their elephants also.

mailto:[email protected]



Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur - 350 photosTata Zoo supplied innovative and attractive photos to celebrate Z&A for 350 at their zoo. In addition to Jumbo the lion, they photographed children working on their 350 painting projects.

The Zoo also organised a 3 day event called "Art in Nature 2014 - Workshop cum Painting Competition" from May 20th to 22nd to coincide with International Day for Biological Diversity 2014. This will be reviewed in full on the next page. Ms. Seema Rani, Biologist cum Education Officer. Email: [email protected]

Arignar Anna Zoological Park – International Day for Biological DiversityA programme for International Day for Biological Diversity 2014 was conducted by Ms. Jessie Jeyakaran in collaboration with the staff of the Arignar Anna Zoo. Students of CSI Ewart Matriculation HS School, Anna Nagar participated. Dr. Manimozhi gave a presentation on the importance of learning about the problems of atmosphere and our future and Ms. Jessie Jeyakaran explained about the project Zoos and Aquariums for 350, Wild Face of Climate Change and CBSG’s invitation to the zoos and others about photo challenge. On the spot quiz competition. Later the students stood in front of the Nilgiri Langur enclosure with different animal posters bearing 350-logo and taught the visitors about the impact of climate change to the fauna and flora and questions from visitors answered as well. Submitted by: Ms. Jessie Jeyakaran, Chennai: Email: [email protected].

Jumbo, the African Lion at Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur, India seems to be intently pondering the message behind Zoos and Aquariums for 350.

Dr. Manimozhi, Biologist explained to students about Climate change

Students celebrated Zoos and Aquariums 350






Tata Steel Zoological Park in association with Off The Wall Art Gallery and Art Kingdom - an Institute of Art and Craft organised ‘Art in Nature 2014’ an art workshop cum painting compe-tition at the Nature Education Centre in Tata Zoo from May 20th to May 22nd 2014.

As part of meeting the AICHI TARGET-1 OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION 2020, Tata Zoo has taken the initiative to make more and more people aware of the value of biodiversity by organising various educational activities throughout the year. For the last four years, the Zoo has been organizing an Annual Art Camp cum painting competition ‘Art in Nature’ for school students during month of May-June.

May 22nd, 2014 is ‘International Day for Biological Diversity’ and this year the United Nations has declared the day as the International Day of Island Biodiversity. To generate awareness on the need to protect Islands and their surrounding near-shore marine areas that constitute unique ecosystems, the Zoo organised this art workshop cum painting competition which was open to all. During the three day event, there were art workshops conducted by experienced art teachers from Art Kingdom who helped children improve their art skills by sharing interesting tips and providing valuable guidance.

The theme of ‘Art in Nature 2014’ was “Island Diversity” and the need to protect Islands and their surrounding near-shore marine areas that constitute unique ecosystems like coral reefs, atolls etc. Students from Std. 2 to 10 were invited to participate. Art in Nature 2014’ was inaugurated by Mr. Gian Taneja, Managing Director, Apex Corporation in the presence of Ms. Divya Koh from Off The Wall Art Gallery, Dr. M. Palit- Dy.

Director cum Veterinary Officer, Mr. S.K. Mahato, Curator, Tata Steel Zoological Park and Dr. Mrs. S. Ghosh, Member, Rotary Club of Jamshedpur Steel City.

Over three days from May 20th to May 22nd, children enthusiastically created works of art on different topics – ranging from Plants of Islands, Animals of Islands, Human habitation on islands, Bat Island (the island in the middle of Jayanti Sarovar Lake inside Tata Steel Zoological Park which is inhabited by hundreds of Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus) and Greater Short Nosed Fruit Bat (Cynopterus sphinx) etc.

On the final day, eminent artists from Jamshedpur – Mr. Anup Sinha, Mr. Arun Sinha and Mr. Ashok Maity judged the winners and awarded them trophies and certificates.

One of the main highlights of the competition was that one of the supporters of Art in Nature 2014 – Off The Wall Art gallery graciously offered to display all the winning paintings at their Gallery for 3 days starting May 23rd, 2014.

The events were co-ordinated by Seema Rani, Biologist cum Education Officer and Sandeep Raj Singh, Zoo Volunteer, Tata Steel Zoological Park.

Tata Steel Zoological Park to organize ‘Art in Nature 2014’ – Art workshop cum Painting Competition to celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity 2014Seema Rani*

Mr. Gian Taneja painting his depiction of Mahatma Gandhi to inaugurate Art in Nature 2014 art & painting exercise.

Winners of Art in Nature 2014 Art Workshop cum Painting Competition along with guests and judges during the Prize Distribution Ceremony

Mentors guiding children with their painting efforts during Art in Nature 2014 Art Workshop cum Painting Competition

*Biologist cum Education Officer, Tata Zoological Park, Jamshedpur. Email: [email protected]




Group: Axel Hochkirch (Chair); Scott Hoffman Black (Deputy Chair & Facilitator); Simon Viola Clausnitzer; Neil Cumberlidge; BA Daniel; Louis Deharveng; Justin Gerlach; Sarina Jepsen; Michael Samways; Mary Seddon; Tony Whitten; Rachel Roberts (SSC); Paul Pearce-Kelly; Pedro Cardoso; Vicky Kindemba; Mike Hoffman; Annabelle Cuttelod; Craig Hilton-Taylor; William Darwall; Jamie Carr

The biannual meeting of the Invertebrate Conservation Sub-Committee ICSC was held at the UNEP building, Cambridge from 11-12 April 2014, first meeting for the quadrennium 2013-2016. Axel Hochkirch, the chair of the ICSC invited and welcomed the participants and Scott Hoffman Black, Deputy Chair and chair of the Butterfly Specialist Group facilitated the meeting. Simon Stuart, chairs of all invertebrate Specialist Groups, members of Red List Committee, Paul Pearce-Kelly, ZSL, members from KBA and Climate change attended the meeting.

During the meeting it was discussed to broaden the taxonomic scope of Invertebrate Conservation Sub Committee ICSC. The number of invertebrates in the Red List has increased these days compared to a few years. However, lots of gaps exists and to fill them up the ICSC aimed to establish new specialist groups. During the meeting the possibilities of identifying the

Specialist Groups and Red List authorities were discussed. Pedro Cardoso and Vicky Kindemba proposed forming spider and St. Helena Island Specialist Groups. Followed by this, the Specialist Group chairs Viz., Grass hopper, butterfly, Bumble bee, Odonate, mollusc, Freshwater Crab and Crayfish Specialist Group, Terrestrial Invertebrate Red List Authority, and South Asian Invertebrate Specialist Group updated on the Red List assessment status of their groups especially the commitments made in the Strategic plan for quadrennium 2013-16. Though most of the SGs felt that the commitments can be achieved, some of the barriers were discussed in detail.

Michael Samways, the outgoing chair of the Invertebrate Conservation Sub Committee put in many years of effort and started this sub committee, said SSC chair, Simon stuart. He also said Michael’s input for more than a decade for invertebrate

Report of the Invertebrate Conservation Sub-committee meeting: 11-12 April 2014B.A. Daniel*

*Co-chair, IUCN SSC South Asian Invertebrate Specialist GroupEmail: [email protected]

A session during the meeting. Photo: Paul Pearce-Kelly

Prof. Michael Samways receiving SSC citation award from Simon Stuart, Chair SSC. Photo: Paul Pearce-Kelly




conservation in SSC has flourished. In appreciation of this, Simon announced the SSC award ‘SSC chair’s citation of Excellence’ for Michael for the tremendous work he did for the SSC and for the invertebrate conservation around the world and it stated “SSC commission citation of excellence presented by the IUCN SSC presented on this day to Professor Michael Samways in recognition of his highly charismatic leadership of the Invertebrate Conservation Sub Committee and for successfully raising the profile of the often forgotten invertebrate world in the Species Survival Commission for over a decade”.

In continuation, Craig Hilton-Taylor gave a brief update on the invertebrates in Red List. He said that in 2013 the unit processed 8327 species assessments for the Red List, of those 6000 are new to Red List. Out of 6000 species assessed 2772 were invertebrates. Invertebrate committee are very active and contributing a lot. This year for the coming update, there will be 950 invertebrates that will be released on the 12th of June. Some challenges in assessing invertebrates were discussed.

Moving beyond Red Listing: The chair of ICSC mentioned that we are talking about Alliance for Zero Extinction AZE and there are many very important sites for invertebrates around the world that can qualify as AZE species. Now we use Red List for conservation to happen. We also take the knowledge and understanding for priorities. Now the task is to feed these into conservation organizations. He also stated that Key Biodiversity Areas process will be finished by the end of this year and we have to give input in to this process. Neil Cumberlidge, the chair of the Freshwater Crab and Crayfish Specialist Group shared his experience on the conservation of the Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis) a Critically Endangered species. For videos about this please click the link: http://www.frequency.com/video/singapore-freshwater-crab-johora/159547230/-/5-1977.

In the event of the existence of the IUCN Species Strategic plan 2013-2016 the need for a strategy for ICSC was also discussed. It was decided that ICSC will have its own objective, targets vision and mission. Outreach and practical conservation aspects will be included. It was decided that the draft will be circulated in due course for comments.

It was generally felt that there is substantial overlap in the aims of different Sub-committees and, therefore, need for cooperation. The Marine Conservation Sub Committee started a Bycatch initiative, and encouraging such initiative was suggested (together with the Policy Sub Committee and the Species Conservation Planning Sub Committee). There is overlap between some of

them. The chair suggested that the strategic species could be focused on and we can give support to that. There conservation depends on its role in the food chain, on the interaction and flows of water current etc. The chair suggested some one from the ICSC should be come a member of Policy Sub committee.

Craig Hilton-Taylor introduced the online Red List training programme. It has seven modules with 20 lessons and it has an exam. He encouraged everyone to take the course.

Benjamin Skolnik gave a presentation through Skype in detail about Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE). He talked about how important sites for highly threatened invertebrate species become listed. He explained the type of information required to get many invertebrates listed during the next update in 2015.

Annabelle Cuttelod gave an update on how Key Biodiversity Areas are identified and integrated into decision making and how invertebrates will be considered during this process.

Jamie Carr, Climate Change Unit, Species Programme gave a presentation on Climate change vulnerability. The IUCN Climate change unit of Species Programme is developing an approach to assess freshwater invertebrates’ vulnerability to climate change. In this process the species’ individual biological threats, life history and genetics to infer its vulnerability to climate change. This is to achieve more holistic assessments by including the emerging threats such as climate change. Observations in range size, changes in population, abundance such things will pick up from the emerging threats like climate change.

At the end the need to use the IUCN portal was discussed. For invertebrate Sub Group a portal is available. However it was decided we have listserve to add new additions to the listserve. Axel thanked everyone for their presence.

http://www.frequency.com/video/singapore-freshwater-crab-johora/159547230/-/5-1977







Sumansa, the NGO dedicated towards raising awareness and conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in and around Jamshedpur concluded awareness campaign led by Ms. Seema Rani, Biologist cum Education Officer – Tata Steel Zoological Park along with her team of Zoo Volunteers - Mr. Sandeep Raj Singh, Mr. Rahul Tiwary and other wildlife enthusiasts against Vishu Sendra, a ritual hunting festival held in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. Mr. S.K. Mahato, Curator, Tata Steel Zoological Park was instrumental in coordinating the meetings of the Sumansa team with the villagers in and around the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

From 9-12 May, 2014, the Sumansa team supported by the Forest Department, Government of Jharkhand, had been visiting villages in and around the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary and meeting the villagers – especially the women and children to explain them about the importance of wildlife in our lives and the disadvantages of hunting wild animals in the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary at a time when the number of animals and species has depleted in the recent past. The team visited a number of villages.

Day 1 - Kutimakuli and BhadudihThe Sumansa Team met with Mr Mangal Mardi, President – Eco Vikas Samiti, Kutimakuli and Mrs. Padmavati Mardi, Ward Member, Kutimakuli and gathered the villagers in order to address them about the impact of biodiversity degradation and the ill effects of Sendra. About 30-40 villagers including men, women and children participated in the meetings. The villagers in Kutimakuli also spoke about the urgent need for a school in their village.

Awareness Campaign Against Ritual Hunting - Sumansa v/v Vishu SendraParticipation of Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur in association with Forest Department, Government of Jharkhand against ritual hunting (Vishu Sendra) at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary by NGO Sumansa Seema Rani*

Seema Rani speaking to Padmavati Mardi, Ward Member, Kutimakuli village

Team Sumansa addressing villagers in Kutimakuli on the adverse effects of ritual hunting

*Biologist cum Education Officer, Tata Zoological Park, Jamshedpur. Email: [email protected]




Day 2 - Jiradongri, Sasankocha and Bonta

On 10th May, the Sumansa Team visited Jiradongri, Sasankocha and other tolas in Bonta village and spoke to villagers on their source of livelihood. Few of them were involved in bee-keeping. Seema Rani, Sandeep Raj Singh and Rahul Tiwary narrated small stories to the village women and children sensitising them on how Sendra is detrimental to the eco-system around their village and how the biodiversity in Dalma needs to be protected. Most of the villagers were in agreement with the view that mass hunting is not beneficial as it has adverse effects on the delicate balance in nature in the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

Day 3 - Sasankocha and Jalandih On 11th May, the Sumansa Team also invited volunteers from Graduate College, Jamshedpur who got first-hand experience of the challenges faced by the tribals and their means of livelihood and they in turn explained to the villagers the importance of protecting and preserving wildlife in and around their villages so that forest resources are available to their future generations.

The organisation has been organising awareness drives during the period prior to Vishu Sendra and they accompany the Forest Department officials on patrolling on the day of Sendra.

On May 11th, the team from Sumansa met and updated the awareness activities undertaken during the past three days.

Jiradongri villagers showing their bee boxes to Team Sumansa

Team Sumansa addressing women and children in Jiradongri

The Sumansa Team with PCCF Mr D.K. Srivastava

Team Sumansa with villagers in Sasankocha speaking to village women and children

Volunteers from Graduate College, Jamshedpur along with Seema Rani in village Sasankocha


Day 4 - Mirzadih, Bhadudih, Haludbani, Patipani, Asanbani, Kanderbeda, Saharbeda, Makulakocha, Pindrabeda, Dalma Top, Majhla Bandh, Badka Bandh

On the day of Sendra, May 12th, Team Sumansa split in two teams to cover more areas during patrolling to keep a watch on Sendra Birs in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary and to alert the Forest Department officials in case any sightings were made.

One group proceeded by road to cover Asanbani, Kanderbeda, Saharbeda, Makulakocha, Pindrabeda, Dalma Top, Majhla Bandh and Badka Bandh while the other group trekked up the hill between Patipani and Haludbani.En route, the first group stopped and spoke with village groups they found on the way. The second team kept a watch for hunters on the hillside and near the water body between Patipani and Haludbani. Any sighting was duly reported to the D.F.O and R.F.O. Some sightings were reported from the hills above Patipani and some from the water body between Patipani and Haludbani.

“The effects of the awareness campaigns are visible as the number of hunters over the years has reduced and villagers in and around Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary have now started understanding the need to protect flora and fauna around their villages and how protecting wildlife increases the biodiversity of the region and ultimately has positive forbearing on their livelihood,” said Ms. Seema Rani, Biologist cum Education Officer – Tata Steel Zoological Park.The observation from this year’s awareness campaign against Sendra was that there has been a marked reduction in the number of tribals participating in Vishu Sendra and this has led to lesser hunting in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sumansa team met with four groups of Sendra Birs but none of them had managed to hunt any animal.

Further, during our discussion with villagers in and around Dalma Wild Life Sanctuary, there was unanimity amongst them that Sendra was not beneficial for their surrounding ecosystem and that they no longer endorse or participate in ritual hunting these days. Mangal Mardi, a resident of Kutimakuli village went on to say that this year for Sendra, their village people were planning to offer a Puja by sacrificing a Red Cock near the Dalma foothills and not participating in a hunt as the number of wild animals in the hills is reducing. He also added that animals too have a right to live which is why he villagers will celebrate their festival but not hunt wild animals.

In fact, Mangal Mardi and his wife, Padmavati offer food and water to a male Peafowl which can often been seen atop houses and trees in Kutimakuli village. This shows their tendency of peaceful co-existence with wildlife in the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary area.

Team Sumansa with village groups

Team Sumansa keeping a watch on the hill side near Patipani

Sendra Birs camping near water body between Patipani and Halubani


Conclusion The awareness campaign has been a success and the endeavour should be that such initiatives should run all year round instead of organising them occasionally. More campaigns should be organised for the villages in and around Dalma Wild Life Sanctuary involving education, entertainment, livelihood subjects after an in-depth study of the relevant needs of the villagers vis-a-vis their ecosystem so that they feel inclusive with the community development efforts of the Forest Department.

Without any tangible investments in community development it will be difficult for the villagers to believe our point of view that development efforts in these areas by the Forest Department are inclusive and for their benefit. It will also be extremely beneficial for the villages if certain genuine demands of the villagers are met – such as setting up and refurbishment of schools, opportunities for sustainable livelihood, more involvement of women in village development efforts etc are met.

We thank the following for their support to the awareness campaign:

P.C.C.F. (Jharkhand) Mr. D.K. Srivastava (I.F.S.) for his support and encouragement. C.C.F. Mr A.K. Pandey (I.F.S.) for his support and encouragement. C.F. Mr. A.T. Mishra (I.F.S.) for his guidance and support. D.F.O (Wildlife) Mr. Kamlesh Pandey for inviting us and providing us the opportunity to conduct the awareness campaign and believing in our efforts. R.F.O (Dalma Range) Mr. Mangal Kachchap for organising the necessary wherewithal for conducting the awareness campaign. Director – Tata Steel Zoological Park Mr. Bipul Chakrabarty for releasing Ms. Seema Rani - Biologist cum Education Officer, Sandeep Raj Singh – Zoo Volunteer and Rahul Tiwary – Zoo Volunteer from their duties at Tata Steel Zoological Park to be part of this awareness campaign.

Photo below: Peafowl seen in Kutimakuli

Sendra Birs returning empty handed near foothills at Patipani

Save Wildlife - Save Yourself


Animal facilities attract positive attention and headlines for animal births, new enclosures, conservation programs, and green practices. Also, when a keeper has a serious or fatal accident, the facility and the profession receive negative press attention. A comprehensive safety program addresses and acknowledges the reality that an incident or accident will occur.

New keepers will witness both good and bad. The goal is to lessen the frequency and seriousness of such incidents by taking reasonable and correct precautions, and providing frequent and meaningful training on the hazards in your job. The benefit to you as employee is a healthier and safer working environment. The benefit to your boss (employer) is a smaller risk of accidents or incidents. Both employee (you) and employer (boss) must understand that a safety program is a document that can save your life, your colleagues lives, the animals lives and the structures in your zoo.

Zoos and aquariums experience frequent collection and personnel changes and often need employees to move or rotate through different areas of the zoo. Keepers may not be performing the same task all the time. For these reasons, a safety program must be updated frequently to keep up with the animal collection changes, staff changes, and realities of a business that needs staff every day of the year.

The safety program should be managed by someone who will update critical information, policies, and procedures on a frequent basis. He or she should ensure that the information is communicated to the animal keepers and staff both verbally and in writing. This task may be delegated to a curator, secretary, or safety committee. Every employee should receive important information regarding safety in memos, hazard reports, notebooks, or bulletin or white boards. Safety committees made up of both managers and workers are a very effective tool in any zoo or aquarium facility. Safety committees may provide needed expertise in the investigation of any accident and may help to determine the root cause. The committee should focus on the cause and prevention of accidents rather than the persons who caused it. Another person should handle discipline, if required.

Working safely around exotic animals begins with the research and education process. All keepers—especially new keepers must acknowledge the danger, strength, intelligence, and in some cases unpredictable behavior of the animals.

The bridge between textbook learning and application of husbandry, training, and safety techniques begins with employee orientation and training. During the orientation process, the zoo should provide new keepers should receive a copy of the facility’s safety program and specific training on safety procedures.

Most of these basic procedures will be discussed in the following section on applied keeper safety.

A facility that focuses on employee safety and has an excellent safety record will spend what seems (to the new keeper) an inordinate amount of time on safety- related topics. A comprehensive written safety program combining classroom and field training will provide a knowledge foundation for the keeper’s entire career. A progressive keeper will continue to learn and apply safety knowledge and techniques. Concentration is to the key to safety, and a keeper must stay vigilant and never let his of her guard down, or else the result may be catastrophic.

ZOONOTIC DISEASES A zoonotic disease (Hansen 2008) is any illness that passes from animal to human. The list of zoonotic diseases is long and scary. It helps to understand the chain of events that may lead to illness. For example, the common cold virus is transmitted from person to person through contact. Other diseases or illnesses require only casual contact or a disease vector. Most zoonotic disease transmission results from a combination of human host, disease, and environmental factors. Keepers must recognize that when it comes to zoonotic disease, they hold the keys to prevention.

The keys are good hygiene and safe work practices including the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment. When keepers first enter into the profession, the possibility of acquiring an illness from an animal may be of great concern to them.

To avoid the primary mode of disease transmission, keepers should • wash their hands frequently with soap and water • concentrate on cleaning under fingernails and the back of the hands. • hand washing with an application of hand sanitizer (disinfectant) to kill any remaining bacteria, virus, fungi, or parasites.

Soap and water removes a large percentage of the bad stuff keepers get on their hands but disinfectant will get better. Cleaning his uniform is the Keepers’ responsibility and their families should be protected by washing keeper uniforms separately from family laundry to prevent transmission of zoonotic disease.

It is always wise to monitor the health and well- being of the animal collection and to know which types of zoonotic diseases are most likely to be passed between keepers and animals at the zoo.

Workplace Safety - Part I (from Zookeeping An Introduction to the Science and Technology) Ed Hansen*

*American Association of Zookeepers, Topeka, Kansas 66614, USA. This book was edited by Mark Irwin, John Stoner and Aaron M. Cobaugh.


In some countries zookeepers are from rural areas and own domestic livestock. Some have constructeda small house with a shelter for their animals attached. In such a situation the zookeeper should take extraordinary precautions not to carry germs either from zoo to home or home to zoo!

Zookeepers should always consume their food away from the work environment in an area designated specifically for eating and drinking.

HAZARD COMMUNICATION There are international systems for hazard communication used now, such as the “Work Place Hazardous Materials Inventory System (WHMIS)”. Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard is an similar system used in the USA to provide employees with “right- to-know” safety and health information regarding chemical use in the workplace.

Keepers work in a complex environment surrounded by quaternary ammonium and phenols for enclosure surfaces, and the old standby disinfecting agent, bleach—lots of it. Include the daily exposure to veterinary compounds, antibiotics, steroids, dewormers (anthelmintics), and a host of topical wipes and ointments. Now mix with the occasional radiograph (X- ray), and animal keepers are exposed to a daunting array of chemical and environmental hazards. Keepers must quickly learn the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection.

• Cleaning is the act of physically removing unwanted material through means such as hosing or raking an area.

• Sanitizing is the application of a chemical to enhance the act of cleaning, and will result in a kill rate for simple bacteria of up to 99.999%.

• Disinfection is the application of a specialized chemical that will kill 100% of bacteria, virus, fungi, and other microorganisms.

Disinfection in a zoo or aquarium, outside the veterinary surgical suite, is virtually impossible to achieve. Both sanitizers and disinfectants are products regulated by the governments that establishes rules that govern these products, including their testing, claims, and direction for use.

A disinfectant must completely eliminate all the organisms listed on its label. These organisms are not limited to bacteria, but could include viruses and fungi. Sanitizers need not eliminate 100% of all organisms to be effective, nor are fungi or viruses ever included in a sanitizing claim. For food contact surfaces, a sanitizer must reduce the bacterial count by 99.999%.

Keepers clean every day, and they will often apply liberal amounts of chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite), a readily available product sold in solution (3.2% and higher), thinking that they are disinfecting holding area floors, platforms, and enclosure furniture. Keepers will also apply granular chlorine, which is sodium or calcium hypochlorite (bleach) in powdered form, to holding areas.

Granular chlorine is designed by the manufacturer to be used as a broadcast agent in pools for chemical disinfection and control of algae growth.

Both practices are dangerous, as any form of chlorine, including chlorine bleach, reacts with ammonia (in urine/ feces) and may result in a dangerous and noxious chemical reaction. Chlorine bleach and granular chlorine by themselves have acute and chronic effects on the user’s lungs, and damage to the eyes and skin is frequent due to splash and “dust” exposure.

To achieve effective sanitization, chlorine bleach or chlorine products must be used in proper dilution and must be left on the surface being cleaned according to the manufacturer’s specification for dwell time (sometimes called “contact” or “kill” time) prior to rinsing. Chemical disinfection of porous surfaces, such as floors and platforms, is literally impossible without the use of heat (steam) or of powerful disinfecting agents that, if not properly diluted and completely rinsed away, would be harmful to the animals.

Keepers are normally required to dispense medication in pill or liquid form to the animals under their care. They usually buy disinfecting chemicals: chlorine and bromine for pools, accomplish this by “hiding” or disguising the pill or liquid in a favored food item of the animal.

Keepers are also asked to apply ointment or similar substances to tractable (compliant or trained) animals. A pharmacist will never handle a pill, liquid, or ointment. The primary reason, of course, is hygiene (somebody is going to swallow that pill or liquid and apply that ointment to their body). Another primary reason is that pharmaceutical compounds can be absorbed through the skin and eventually, with constant handling of drugs, a toxic reaction with the body may result in illness or other side effects.

Handling pharmaceuticals, including topical sprays, should require the use of personal protective equipment in the form of disposable gloves. After dispensing medications, keepers should wash their gloved hands before removing the gloves, and again after removing them.

When a radiograph (X- ray) needs to be obtained, keepers may be required to assist in the restraint or positioning of the animal. Proper protective equipment such as lead gowns, gloves, glasses, face shields, and thyroid protection must be worn. Disease, such as various cancers, can be traced to cumulative exposure over the course of an employee’s career to radiation from X-rays, so keepers should always wear protective clothing.This is why there is a section on Personal Protective Equipment. Although such clothing is either non-existent or too costly for the zoo to provide in developing countries, the zoo and its keepers may innovate with local materials to try and be safer.


PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT When a potential work hazard is recognized, changes should be made to routines and practices that will protect keepers. There is a recognized hierarchy of response to potential safety hazards:

• policy • engineering • personal protective equipment (PPE).

A zoo or aquarium could, for example, set a policy that keepers would not be allowed in the X-ray room to position or restrain a sedated animal for the X-ray procedure. This policy would not work, however, as the animal must be positioned correctly to obtain optimum X-ray results. An engineered solution would place the keeper behind a lead barrier similar to a device seen in human hospitals. But this won’t work either, for the same reason: the animal needs to be manually held in position. This leaves the only practical solution, which is to protect the keeper with personal protective equipment (PPE). However even PPE is always the last resort, because of a greater risk of error. For example, PPE may be forgotten, damaged, worn incorrectly, or ineffective for a particular hazard. A hazard assessment, normally conducted by safety personnel, supervisor, or a safety committee is conducted on each work process, and PPE is assigned as required. For keepers the hazard assessment is quite basic and includes that listed in Table 7.1. Under specific medical circumstances, a keeper may need to wear a respirator in order to perform the essential job functions. Other keepers may have medically diagnosed allergies that require the use of a respirator or dust mask to reduce nuisance dusts and fumes.

New employees in any profession may tend to take their health for granted and keepers are no exception. Our well-being and ability to rebound from injury is something we may rarely if ever consider. However, if keepers take the time to consider how their difficult profession wears on the mind and body and thus plan for the future, their careers can be long and fulfilling.

Keepers are industrial athletes and should always warm up prior to any event. The start of the workday and the return from lunch break should be treated in a similar manner. Back injuries are debilitating and possibly career-ending.

Stretching and movement prior to throwing of hay bales or restraint of an animal will help to keep a keeper healthy and fit. While keepers are subject to hand and arm injuries from the repetitive motions of raking, hosing, and using a shovel, the largest risk factor involves the back. Every aspect of a keeper’s job has an impact on the muscles of the back. When a keeper is loading a wheelbarrow shoveling, crossing barriers, climbing ladders, or even just walking on wet, icy, or uneven surfaces, the risk of sustaining an injury to the back or neck is significant.

1A face shield, which protects the skin and mucous membranes (nose and mouth) in addition to the eyes, may be necessary where fluid splash may be encountered, to minimize the risk of viral disease transmission (from macaques), or when working with venomous animals.

1Steel-toed shoes, boots, and rubber boots are designed to prevent crushing injuries to or amputation of the toes, and are normally recommended for keepers of hoof-stock or elephants. This type of safety shoe is also available with steel shanks to prevent puncture injuries to the bottom of the foot.

1The wearing of hearing protection (earplugs or earmuffs) to reduce ambient noise must be balanced against the keeper’s need for awareness of the surroundings and/or of radio transmissions.

1Under specific risks of viral or bacterial transmission of disease, skin may need to be protected by long sleeves, long pants, or other protective covering such as coveralls or disposable suits.

Editor’s Note:The chapters in the Zookeeping book may be difficult to absorb due to the vast difference between zoos on different continents and their animal care and procedures. Another obstacle is that in countries such as India and the surrounding countries in the region of South Asia, most of the keepers speak local language which adds another difficulty.

I must apologise to Ed Hansen as I have frequently changes his wording or left out some paragraphs that would not be easily understood in India or Bangladesh, etc.

We will continue to run these articles from Zookeeping in ZOOS’ PRINT in this manner.

- Sally Walker

Table 7.1: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is listed by the USA Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Body part

Hazards PPE

Hands Cuts, abrasionsDisease, chemicals, drugs

Leather glovesLatex/rubber gloves

Eyes Dusts, debris, chemicals,Animal fluids

Safety glassesFace shield

Feet CrushingWater, chemicals, feces

Steel-tied shoesRubber boots

Ears Animal/Machinery noise

Hearing protection

Skin1 Sun exposure Sunscreen

How to OrderContact The University of Chicago Press at <[email protected]> when you order

from South Asia.




During a botanical exploration in Nashik district, an interesting species, Eulophia pratensis Lindl. was collected. This orchid species is recorded for the first time from Nashik district. Nashik district is located between 18o33’ and 20o53’ North Latitudes and 73o16’ degree and 75o16’ degree East Longitudes at Northwest part of the Maharashtra State, at 565 meters above mean sea level along the banks of the river Godavari. The vegetation prevalent in Nashik district is of dry deciduous type and the forest cover lie in the western and southern western parts of the district within Surgana, Kalwan, Peth, Dindori, Nashik, Igatpuri, Trimbakeshwar taluks.

The botanical exploration from Nashik district has been carried out from time to time by a number of workers viz., Cooke (1901–1911) Bailey, (1949) Vaidya and Mahajan (1988), Mahajan and Nikumbh (2000). Lakshminarasimhan and Sharma (1991) published the flora of Nashik district. Eulophia pratensis Lindl. is proposed as an addition to the flora of Nashik district, based on the collections from different localities in Nashik district (Table 1).

During a field survey for locating Orchid along the banks of Godavari near Someshwar water falls, a broken rachis with maroon yellow coloured flower was noticed on 24 Dec 2010, further investigation revealed 7–10 individual plants, no specimen was collected as the populations was felt to be very low. Instead photographs of this species were taken with the help of Sony DSC HX1 & DSC-HX100V (With inbuilt GPS).

The specimens photographs were identified in the laboratory using

standard floras Cooke (1958), Lakshminarasimhan and Sharma (1991), Hooker (1890) and by consulting the herbarium of Botanical Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune (BSI) as well.

Eulophia pratensis Lindl. in J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3:25,1858;

Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6:4. 1890; Cooke, Fl. Bombay 3:197.1958 (Repr. Ed). E. ramentacea Wight

Addition of Orchid Eulophia pratensis Lindl. to the Flora of Nashik district, Maharashtra, IndiaJatin J. Shrivastava1, G.S. Chaudhari2 and Tanveer A. Khan3

Image 1: Photograph of Eulophia pratensis Lindl. collected across the banks of Godavari river

Map 1: Distribution of Eulophia pratensis Lindl. in Nashik along River Godavari. (Map Courtesy : Google earth)

1,3PG. Department of Botany, M. J. College, Jalgaon.2PGSTR College, Jalgaon.Email: [email protected] (corresponding author), [email protected], [email protected]








Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient.5(1): 8, t. 1666. 1851 non Lindl. 1858; Santapau & Kapadia in J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 59:58. 1961; Naik, Fl. Marathwada 2:823.1998. Image 1.

Terrestrial herbs up to 60 cm high. Leaves absent (rarely present) during flowering, linear, 15–45 x 4 –7 cm acuminate at apex, tapering towards base, pubescent. Rachis faint purple to pale greenish with purple tinge, stout, cylindrical, pubescent. Bracts faint greenish with purple tinge, ovate lanceolate acuminate apex, edges slightly curved and raised. Dorsal sepal oblong 1–2 x 3–4 cm. acute at apex, curved dark maroon at the apex gradually fading to yellow at base, 4–5 veined. Lateral sepals slightly smaller than the dorsal sepal, oblong – ovate, 1–2 x 3–4 cm, acute at apex, curved, faintly Maroon – orange at the apex gradually fading to yellowish white at base. Lateral petals oblong – ovate, 2–3 x 4–5 cm, acute at apex, dark maroon at the gradually fading towards base, lip oblong – ovate 1–1.5 cm long, yellowish white, 3 lobed, Lateral lobes broadly ovate, obtuse, mid lobe oblong ovate, obtuse, with three raised nerves from the middle to the base. Column 3–4 cm long. Spur cylindrical, obtuse. Ovary pale greenish with purple tinge. Capsule pendulous, ellipsoid, C. 2 × 4 cm.

Flowering and Fruiting: December – April

Distribution: Surgana, Kalwan, and Trimbakeshwar taluks.

Habitat: along the open grasslands at high elevations.

Note: Eulophia pratensis Lindl. could be easily differentiated with other Eulophia spp. occurring in the area by its brownish maroon flowers with distinct yellow shade and ellipsoid, pendulous capsules. References: Bailey, L.H. (1949). Manual of cultivated plants. Mcmillan and Co., New York.

Cooke, T. (1901–08). The flora of the Presidency of Bombay. 3 Vols. (Reprint) 1967, B.S.I. Calcutta.

Hooker, J.D. (1896). Flora of British India, Vol. 6: pp.4. L. Reeve and Co. London.

Lakshminarasimhan, P. and B.D. Sharma (1991). Flora of Nashik District, BSI. Fl. Ind. Ser.3 pp641, pl.15.f.52,.Mahajan, D.R. and D.F. Nikumbh (2001). An addition to the Flora of Nashik District, Part I (Maharasthra) Biojournal, (1 and 2), 1–7, June and Dec. 59:58.

Naik, V.N. (1998). The flora of Marathwada. Amrut Prakashan, Auragabad. 2: 823.

Santapau, H. and Z. Kapadia (1961). Critical notes on the Orchidceae of Bombay state V. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, Vol.58, p.53–67.

Vaidy, P.B. and D.R. Mahajan (1988). Flora of Tryambakeshwar Hill, Gazetter of India, Maharashtra State, 704–706.

Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to Dr. P. Lakshminarasimhan, Dr. Nilesh Malpure, Mr. C.M. Sabapathy for confirmation of the species Eulophia pratensis Lindl. Authors are also thankful to Swapnil Barde, Ameya lele, Vicky Nikumbh, Abhijit Toke, Kailash Patil, for great support.

Date of field visit Place of survery Number of individual sighted

24-Dec-2010 Someshwar 9

13-Jan-2011 Someshwar 12

09-Mar-2011 Someshwar 12

22-Dec-2011 Gangapur Dam 06

04-Aug-2012 Someshwar 12

02-Sep-2012 Someshwar 12

Table 1: Survey reports along the banks of Godavari river


Indira Gandhi Zoological has been playing a great role in rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals in north coastal Andhra Pradesh since its inception. In recent years many animals and birds were rescued and rehabilitated successfully by the IGZP staff. A very successful such activity was done by rearing 200 odd Alexandrine Parakeets and rehabilitated in natural habitat. Rescue In an attempt to smuggle more than 200 individuals of new born Alexandrine Parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) by a gang of smugglers was foiled by the Police near Palakonda area of Srikakulam District and handed over them to the Forest Department (Forest Range Officer, Palakonda).

The Parakeets rescued from the clutches of smugglers were shifted and lodged at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam on the orders of the Judicial 1st Class Magistrate, Amadalavalasa, dt.31-01-2013 for veterinary care and better captive facility till they attain the age of self feeding and ability to fly swiftly.

The birds present locally along the river basins of Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Bahuda etc., which were illegally collected and packed in thatched baskets. These birds trampled and suffocated a lot were handed over to the zoo on 01-02-2013. They were counted and made into 5 groups based on plumage, age and size.

The condition of chicks was very pathetic and they were weak; most of them exhausted as they were closed in small bamboo baskets. The details of chicks are furnished below.

• One two-week old chick was having fractured right hind leg.• Most of the chicks were weak and exhausted, under severe stress.• Majority chicks were badly dehydrated.

All the birds were kept at Quarantine Centre in different groups as per age and health condition.

Rescue, Rearing and Rehabilitation of Alexandrine Parakeets - success story of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Visakhapatnam, Andhra PradeshG. Ramalingam*

Alexandrine Parakeets rescued from smugglers

Group 1 43 Nos 15 daysThe age was estimated based on size and plumage

Group 2 58 Nos 20 days The age was estimated based on size and plumage

Group 3 27 Nos 25 days

The age was estimated based on size and plumage





Different age group birds found when rescued

*Deputy Conservator of Forests & Curator, Indira Gandhi Zoological park, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Email: [email protected]




REARINGThe chicks were reared very carefully by the advice and involvement of experts by the Zoo staff with utmost care.

The following prophylactic and treatment measures and feeding schedule were followed.• Disinfection by clearing the floor (housing room) with Khorsoline solution 1 ml/10 Litre water.• Kept foot dipping baths (foot baths) at the entry of chick rearing room.• Restriction of personnel inside the chick rearing room to avoid contamination and also human imprint on birds which will otherwise effect birds during port release period.• Parasitological examination of faecal droppings for parasites if any and also for future de-worming by the chicks.• Temperature regulation by

keeping Brooder lamps (2 Nos) & Room heater (2 Nos) as birds are warm blooded and were more body temperature ranging from 40 – 42oC for normal chick development and regular functioning of the body. It was also useful in reducing cold stress of winter season and shock due to

trampling in small boxes and long transport.• Humidity was kept at room ambient condition and the total room was kept dry and clean.• Floor of the rearing room was covered with gunny bags to warm them and also for easy cleaning.• Entire room was sterilized before keeping chicks into it.• Feeding schedule 3-5 times per day with syringes without needle (most of them are very young and unable to feed on their own).

Feeding: The young chicks were fed with Cerelac mixture - Wheat & Milk powder (Semi liquid food) Later on, after 10-15 days, substituted by a mixture of wheat, corn (maize), cereals (Jowar, Ragi and Sorghum), pubies-Green gram. Older birds were fed by fruits like Papaya, Guava, Grape, Pomegranate etc. and also with groundnuts.

Medicines used• Enzyme preparation -Neopeptone, Digyton, B-Complex mixture, Vitamin and Minerals with amino acids.• Shellcall for Calcium supplementation.• Feed additives and Antibiotics like Oxytetracycline (chicks are easily susceptible to viral & bacterial infection).

Very young chicks of 7 to 10 days old

Rearing of parakeets at secret hideouts suspected


Press Clippings Forest officials suspect poachers are rearing Alexandria Parakeets in secret hideouts on the AP-Odisha border.

Even as newborn parakeets after their rescue from gangsters near Palakonda by Srikakulam police were shifted to Indira Gandhi Zoological Park on February 2 are growing well with most of them able to feed and fly on their own, forest officials admit that catching of over 200 day-old birds from their nests in the forest was not possible to anyone.“Hence it must be the handiwork of some groups who must be rearing the endangered birds to exploit their

demand for keeping as caged creatures in various countries,” a senior forest officer said. However, some local tribals are also in the habit of catching them from the nests and selling them to fortune-tellers. “They could be encouraged to abstain from catching them by launching specific livelihood intervention programme,” said another forest official.

Before arrest of two persons and seizure of 214 parakeets in small baskets near Palakonda by the police, there were a few cases in which parakeet chicks were seized. Such seizures give credence to the suspicion that the birds listed in Schedule IV of

Feeding of chicks and sub-adult birds with syringes (needleless)

Rehabilitation of birds in natural forest area- all birds (214 Nos.) were rehabilitated in Kambalakonda Reserve Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary in span of 3-4 months.


Wildlife Act are being reared clandestinely by people involved in their smuggling.

Talking abilityA pair of Alexandria Parakeets fetches somewhere Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 abroad whereas it is available for a few hundred rupees in the local market. They are highly sensitive and known for developing talking ability. They are the largest species among all parakeets.

Breeding timeThey breed during November-April. Generally two to four eggs are laid and the incubation period is 28 days. After meticulous care and feeding them protein substances through syringe, the rescued parakeets kept at a quarantined room of the zoo here gained enough strength to feed on their own. Some of them are able to fly. Once the court in Srikakulam which directed their nursing in the zoo gives permission, they will be released into the wild.

214 Alexandrine parakeets rescued, shifted to city zooSANTOSH PATNAIKEnd of an ordeal: Over 200 new-born Alexandrine parakeets rescued from smugglers in Srikakulam district being given care at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.—Photo: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

As many as 214 new-born Alexandrine parakeets rescued from smugglers in Srikakulam a few days ago are being lodged at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park

on court orders to make them fit for release into the wild.

After foiling an attempt to smuggle them by a gang near Palakonda, the Srikakulam Police handed them over to the Forest Department. “On court orders, they were shifted to the zoo on Friday night. We hope with utmost care by zoo officials, the new-borns will get the ability to feed on their own and fly,” Divisional Forest Officer-Srikakulam B. Vijay Kumar, told The Hindu on Saturday.

As the parakeets are highly vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections, they are being given semi-liquid food with syringes minus the needles. Protein substances are also given after quarantining them in the in-patient ward of the zoo.

They are smuggled out of the country to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. In the overseas market, a pair of Alexandrine parrots fetches around Rs. 20,000 to Rs.30,000.

“We will also vaccinate them and maybe in a month or 45 days, release them into the wild after obtaining court permission. Everything depends on their ability to fly,” zoo curator G. Ramalingam said.

The cute-looking parrots, considered most sought after world-wide for being kept as pets, have life expectancy of 15 to 30 years. They like to be touched and stroked and love to play with water. They eat fruits, nuts, vegetables and greens.

They are listed in Schedule IV of the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972. The parrots, which develop exceptionally long tails and are hypersensitive like lovebirds, were named Alexandrine after the Alexander the Great as he used to export these birds from Punjab to the Mediterranean and the European countries for prized possession by the royal families.

Mr. Ramalingam said the zoo at present had two dozen parrots belonging to this species and they were not in a position to shelter more for want of space and other constraints.

The parrots once released to the wild set up nests on trees at a height of 10 to 20 feet to avoid being eaten by mongooses, snakes, rats and other rodents.

Srikakulam police arrests two parakeet smugglers.01 Feb 2013, 10:36 PMSrikakulam, Feb 1 (PTI) Srikakulam police caught two people while they were transporting 232 parakeets yesterday. Police sub-inspector D Nageswara Rao of L N Peta found N Gopal and N Durga illegally transporting the parakeets in a car and detained them along with the driver of the car. They were handed over to forest officials at Palakonda for investigation. After being interrogated by Forest Range Officer-Appa Rao, the smugglers revealed that purchased the parakeets from local hunters for selling them to soothsayers. The forest officials registered a case against them under Sections 9, 51, and 58 of the Wild Life Protection Act and produced them before the Judicial Magistrate's First Class Court at Amadalavalasa, whihc remanded them to a sub-jail. About six parakeets out of 232, died due to suffocation as they were packed in gunny bags. Forest officials handed the remaining parakeets to the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park at Visakhapatnam today. PTI CORBA.


The following records are opportunistic observations and no systematic survey technique or search method was conducted for the same.

Jahangirnagar University Campus is situated at the central region of Bangladesh (30º16´N latitude and 90º26´E longitude), 32 km north from Dhaka city. The university campus has 280 hectares of area. It is one of the oldest, renowned and only residential universities in Bangladesh. The campus has many different vegetation types, forming a mixture of diverse habitats. In addition, the area consists of agricultural lands, orchards and botanical gardens in and around human settlements. There are 12 student dormitories situated in the campus and some are under construction to give residential support for the students.

At present 11 species of amphibians, 19 species of reptiles, 189 species of birds and 12 species of mammals are recorded within university campus.

The incidents of death of some juvenile’s spectacled cobra (Naja naja) were observed from 11th July to 19th July, 2013 in a student dormitory (Mir Mosharrof Hossain Hall). A total of 18 individuals were killed by the frightened students and by the dormitory authorities. All 18 individuals falls between ranges of 18-26 cm in length, indicating that they are juveniles. Adults in general measure 100-150 cm length. Hatchlings usually measures 25-30 cm (Wuster, 1998).

Mir Mosharrof Hossain Hall is the oldest dormitory and probably it was selected by the mature spectacled cobra pair for breeding site. They are highly adaptable

species. Found almost anywhere, in heavy jungle, open cultivated land, and in populated areas where old masonry constructions form ideal refuge (Daniel, 2002).

All the incidents took place between early evening and night. They are solitary, nocturnal and diurnal, but active mainly at dusks and dawns (Khan, 2008).

Habitat loss and indiscriminate killing are identified as major

threats for this species (IUCN, Bangladesh 2000).

Such type of incidents and experience are common in other parts of the country but rare in university campuses. There is no record of snake bite in

Some Death Incidents of Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) at Jahangirnagar University Campus, Savar, Dhaka, BangladeshAshis Kumar Datta*

*Field Assistant, Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC), M.Sc student, Wildlife Biology branch, Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka. Email: [email protected]

Spectacled cobras - 1

Spectacled cobra - 2




Jahangirnagar University Campus. There are many reasons for the snakes to enter into human enclosure. Degradation of natural habitat, cutting down trees, clearing of undergrowths, increased numbers of vehicles, construction of new buildings, more students pressure etc are the main threats for this species. If such death incidents continue then it would be impossible for this snake species to thrive in Jahangirnagar University campus.

ReferencesWuster, W. (1998). The Cobras of the Genus Naja in India. Hamadryad, Vol. 23, No.1, 15-32pp

Daniel, J.C. (2002). The Book of Indian Reptiles. Oxford University Press, 137-139.

Khan, M.M.H.(2008). Protected Areas of Bangladesh – A Guide to Wildlife. Nishorgo Program, Bangladesh Forest Department, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 244pp.

IUCN Bangladesh (2000). Red Book of Threatened Amphibians and Reptiles of Bangladesh. IUCN- The World Conservation Union. 65pp.

Acknowledgements:The author is grateful to Professor Dr. Md. Mostafa Feeroz, Ph.D for his great inspiration.




There are many wonderful wild animals in nature, such as, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, etc. In India around 15 species of primates have been described of which Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus) are the largest primate and Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) are most common. Among mammals, primates are unique creatures. One of the most important characteristics of primates is the presence of a large brain that allows them to think and reason. In addition, primates have been bestowed with opposable thumbs that help them grasp the smallest objects efficiently. According to Menon (2003) the principal primate characteristics are: 1) Five digits on limbs, 2) Grasping ability with fingers and thumb, 3) Forward facing eyes, 4) Developed cerebellum, 5) Simple dentition and 6) Ability to walk on two limbs

In this way, it has been established that they are social animals, genotypically and phenotypically nearer to human beings. Primates have even played role in the space program by their ability to reflect human like reactions to weightlessness and other conditions of space travel. Findings of Coe and Rosenblum (1974) indicated that the socialization process, rather than endogenous hormonal status, is the major determinant of adult social structure in squirrel monkeys.

Primates are common feature of almost all the zoological parks of India. The Kanpur Zoological Park, is situated in the heart of the city, displays 1200 animals of 76 species in its collection. Hanuman langur and Rhesus macaque are found in Kanpur Zoo. Among them some are enclosed but others are free ranging. Due to their mischievous nature and characteristics the free-ranging

primates are a menace for the zoo and zoo visitors in many ways, viz., causing injury to visitors, snatching their food and even other articles, spreading infection and causing stress to enclosure animals. In contrast to a popular view that high population-density of monkeys promote aggression, Judge and Waal (1997) found that some primates have a behavioural mechanism due to a coping model that regulates social tension. This mechanism controls the negative consequences of crowding. As density increased, male rhesus monkeys increased grooming and huddling but did not increase the rate of aggression. The females, however, increased all categories of behaviour.

The primates at Kanpur Zoo enter enclosures of any wild animal in order to pinch their food and

thereby cause contamination of the food, fodder. They also spread infection from outside of the zoo to the zoo inmates and also from one enclosure to other enclosures. Visitors do such damage when they try to feed the primates. Also, the oppressive behaviour of monkeys and sharing of food by them causes stress even among herbivores, especially small herbivores.

Therefore there was a need to translocate these Rhesus macaques and Hanuman langurs back to their natural habitat, a last ditch action for protecting the zoo as well as the free-ranging animals. Permission was granted by Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, (Wildlife) U.P. While deciding the natural habitat we

Monkey Management in Kanpur Zoological ParkU.C. Srivastava, R.K. Singh and Swati Gupta*

Veterinary officer/*BiologistKanpur Zoological Park, KanpurEmail: [email protected]

“Kanpur Kapi Mukti Kosth” a specially designed plywood board cage for capturing monkeys




had to study the release-factors, such as its distance from Kanpur Zoological Park, favourable conditions to survive and ecological balance. These matched the observation of Glenn et al 1998 in which they found that captured Mona monkeys (Cercopithecus mona) were seen in their original groups within 24 hours of release into the forest.

No perfect and authentic practical means has been described to control the monkey menace, other than manual maneuvering, in any research papers available with the authors except the studies conducted by Mishkin and

Delacour (1975). They described capture programme for black and gold Howlers (Alouatta caraya) using traps in Southern Brazil. Two trap models with either manual or automatic activation (trap A with two entrances and Guillotine-type doors; trap B with one entrance and Guillotine-type door) were constructed by them to capture 70 Howlers.

Methods other than manual management of monkeys are time-consuming and risky but cost effective. Kanpur Zoo administration decided to devise a new method to deal with the monkey menace. Our zoo

veterinarians applied physical and chemical means but they were proved costly, risky and not fully successful. This was true especially in case of Rhesus macaque who would immediately crush a dart with their teeth and climb to the tree top making alarming calls to attract other monkeys for his rescue.

Our observations equate to the study conducted by Zuberbuhler (2002) in which he indicated that wild Diana monkeys (C.diana) may comprehend the semantic changes caused by a combinatory rule present in the natural communication of another primate, the campbells monkeys (C. campbelli). The Campbells male gives acoustically distinct alarm calls to leopards and crowned hawk eagles and Diana monkeys respond to these calls with their own corresponding alarming calls. Similarly the peacocks rapidly respond to the alarming call of spotted deer in Kanpur Zoological Park. Interestingly authors observed that Hanuman langurs of Kanpur Zoological Park make a whooping sound to show dominance on other langurs, but they never crushed the dart while darting them. Therefore Hanuman langurs were captured by chemical means i.e. immobilization. Similarly a total of 54 free-ranging monkeys were captured by Glander et al. (1991) and marked in Costa Rica, during May 1985, and an additional 17 were captured during March 1986. The animals were darted using a blowpipe or a Co2 gun. The drugs used were Ketaset, Sernylan and Telazol. Ketaset was effective for Cebus capucinus but unsuccessful for Alouatta palliata and Ateles geoffroyi. Sernylan was successful for A. geoffroyi and A. palliata but is no longer commercially available. Telazol proved to be an excellent alternative capture drug for both A. palliata and A. geoffroyi.

The cage has two separate sliding panels for capturing monkeys


Wild monkeys were captured by Glenn et al. (1998) using either a baited treadle-door trap and anesthetic filled darts fired from a blow pipe or rifle-fired anesthetic filled darts. While captive monkeys were anesthetized using blowpipe fired darts and they found that Ketaset/Rompun mixture was the most effective anesthetic for wild monkeys while Ketaset alone was suitable for captive monkeys.

In another study Jones & Bush (2005) used Ketamine–Rompun mixture to capture Red-tail monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius) and Ketamine was used for maintaining anesthesia.

Besides this, the Education Officer of the Kanpur zoo and other field staff were also directed to educate visitors not to give any edibles to free ranging animals. Thus to capture the monkeys and langurs zoo staff designed a specific cage after elaborate study of the psychology of the monkeys. An example is at the time of the danger victim monkey gives an alarming call so that all monkeys in the nearby area rush to the call and become very ferocious and hurt the monkey handler. If the captured monkey is visible to other monkeys then it is very difficult to handle the capture cage, and if there is anything suspicious like rope in the capture cage then the monkey will never come close to the cage.

Similarly Mishkin and Delacour (1975) conducted two experiments with a total of twenty rhesus monkeys. Visual memory was examined in the four conditions each with the different rules. The results indicated that recognition of a stimulus as familiar or novel is highly developed in monkeys.

The method devised by the Kanpur Zoo, using a specially developed cage, is very beneficial and successful for capturing these monkeys because the moment they enter the cage utter darkness is created after sliding panel is

closed and they become so stunned that they do not cry or make alarming call. Therefore the operator is safe. The cage has been named “Kanpur Kapi Mukti Kosth” as the cage can be used in two ways, firstly for capturing monkeys from urban area or unnatural area and secondly for releasing them in their natural habitat i.e. freedom (Mukti) from unnatural habitat.

The cage is made up of very light material i.e. ply board in order to reduce its manufacturing cost and to reduce its weight. The “Kanpur Kapi Mukti Kosth” has following features:

• It is very easy to handle and transport due to light weight, transport handle and cuboid structure.

• Low cost of manufacturing due to easy availability of the material.

• Depending upon size and species of the target animal parameters of the “Kanpur Kapi Mukti Kosth” can be altered.

• The string for closing the sliding doors is concealed and is not visible to monkeys.

• Alarming call of captured monkey to attract other monkeys is not noted in this method as the captured monkey becomes confused by dark and never makes any sound to call monkeys, thereby making it safe for the person operating it.

• It has two separate sliding panels for capturing and releasing monkeys. The structure of the cage has been designed in such a way that it

String which is not visible to monkeys tied for closing the sliding door


supports smooth sliding of both the panels

• The cage can be handled singly.

The “Kanpur Kapi Mukti Kosth” has been found to be very successful in capturing monkeys, as till date more than hundred Rhesus macaques have been captured and rehabilitated in the forest after approval from competent authority and we hope to shift whole population of the free roaming monkeys of Kanpur zoo in near future.

AcknowledgementThe authors are thankful to Sri K. Thomas IFS, Director/Chief Conservator of Forest, Kanpur Zoological Park, Kanpur for providing necessary facilities and inspiring us to accomplish this task.

ReferencesCoe C.L. and L.A. Rosenblum (1974). Sexual segregation and its ontogeny in Squirrel monkey Social structure. Journal of Human evolution, 3(6): 551-561. Glander, K.E., L.M. Fedigan, L. Fedigan and C. Chapman (1991). Field methods for capture and measurement of three monkey species in costa Rica. Folia Primatol 57:70-82.Glenn, M.E. and K.J. Benson (1998). Capture techniques and morphological measurements of mona monkey (Ceropithecus mona) on the island of Grenada, West Indies. American J of physical Anthropology 105(4): 481-491.Jones, W.T and B.B. Bush (1988). Darting and marking techniques for an arboreal forest monkey, Ceropithecus ascanius. American J of Primatology 14(1):83-89.

Judge, P.G. and Frans B.M De Waal (1997). Rhesus monkey behaviour under diverse population densities: coping with long-term crowding. Animal Behavior; 54 (3):643-62.Menon, V. (2003). A Field guide to Indian Mammals. Darling Kindersley (I) Pvt. Ltd.; Pp.43.Mishkin, M. and J. Delacour (1975). An analysis of short –term visual memory in the monkey. J of Experimental Psychology: Animal Behavior Processes, Vol 1 (4):326-334.Zuberbuhler, K. (2002). A syntactic rule in forest monkey communication; Animal Behavior,Vol 63(2): 293-299.

Position: Population Management/Studbook SpecialistClassification: Exempt FT Department: Product ManagementDate Prepared: March 2014Reports To: Chief Information OfficerDate Effective: ImmediatelyOrganisation: ISIS - International Species Information System, Bloomington, USA. Website: www.isis.org; Application Email: [email protected] description attachment: Product Manager-Studbook Specialist.docx

ISIS mission is “To facilitate international collaboration in zoos and aquariums through the collection and sharing of knowledge on animal care”. We are the largest non-profit organization serving 800 zoos & aquariums in 80 countries with their animal management needs. The ZIMS web-based solution is the world standard software to manage almost 3 million animals and 10,000 species. This solution improves animal inventory management, institutional planning, member staff efficiencies, and cost management.

Our go-to-market strategies require us to balance being both a non-profit and a software company. The company (annual revenues range from $4-$7 million) develops proprietary, web technology with 50 associates (employees and contractors) to deliver a full suite of wildlife records management services, including:

• Database serves as a central repository of members’ animal records including - births, deaths, ownership, pedigree, breeding, husbandry, medical, nutrition;

• Hosted technology for front-to-back end process automation; and• Thought-leadership on records management, community best practices, and workflow to

access/query information.

Vacancies

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http://www.eaza.net/News/Lists/Vacancies1/Attachments/434/Job%20Description%20-%20Product%20Manager-Studbook%20Specialist.docx

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Maggot infestation, is a condition, in which fly maggots feed off, and develop in the tissues of living organisms. The study was the effective treatment of Traumatic myiasis of Indian lion conducted in Chittagong zoo.

The animal was anesthetized with combination of xylazine and ketamine, and was positioned on left lateral recumbent position. Maggots were removed by forceps followed by dressing with oil of turpentine. Dressing was done in each three days interval till 12 days after the animal was being kept and restrained in a small case without anesthesia. Complete healing was observed after two weeks.

IntroductionTraumatic myiasis, caused generally by blow flies larvae (Anderson et al. 2004), that feed and develop in the cutaneous tissues of host, and create injury to host tissue (Hall et al.1995). They are found more frequently in different animals including both the captive and free ranging wild animals (Wieckowski et al. 2009) and leads to loss of wild fauna (Devrajani et al. 2010). It has been proven that, ivermectin is a highly effective medicine for domestic animal but information also is available about its efficacy and safety in wild species (Kumar and Raj 2012). This study was designed to observe an effective and rapid treatment of maggot wound of the Indian lion at Chittagong zoo.

Materials and MethodsAn 8 year old Indian female lion was injured at the upper portion of right shoulder as a result of fighting with other lions in captive condition at Chittagong Zoo.

Restraining and anesthesiaThe animal was chemically restrained with ketamine and xylazine of @5mg/kg and xylazine @2mg/kg bodyweight respectively. After being anaesthetized, the animal was secured and covered with thick cloth on face.

Treatment procedureAnimal was situated on left lateral recumbent position so that the wound could be placed on the upper side. Shaving was done at

Treatment of Traumatic Myiasis of Indian Lion (Panthera leo) at Chittagong ZooMd. M.M. Chowdhury1, M.S.H. Suvo2, M.S.I. Khan3 and M.R. Begum4

1Curator, Chittagong Zoo, Chittagong, Bangladesh.Email: [email protected] (Corresponding author)2Veterinary Surgeon, Chittagong Zoo, Chittagong, Bangladesh.3Assistant professor of Food microbiology, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh.4Assistant professor of Biostatistics, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Fig 1. Fly larvae of wound

Fig 2. Dressing with Hydrogen peroxide

mailto:[email protected],[email protected]







surrounding area of wound. Loosely attached maggots were removed manually by forceps(Fig.1) and the remaining deep maggots were removed when they came out after probing gauge, soaked with oil of turpentine(Fig.2). After that, hydrogen per oxide (H2O2) for digestion of the death tissue debris within the wound and easily removed by washing with saline water (Fig.3).

Finally, Ivermectin was given s/c @ 0.2 mg/kg body weight and the wound was dressed in three days interval with iodine preparation after the animal was transferred to a small separate iron cage.

Result and DiscussionAfter two weeks, the wound healed and no maggots were observed in the injured area. The animal came back to its normal behaviour.

This has proved to an efficient treatment procedure for myiasis in captive lion. It is noticeable that, proper care should be taken to prevent the further injury during restraining and the animal should be in close observation until full recovery.

ReferencesAnderson, G.S. and N.R. Huitson (2004). Myiasis in pet animals in British Columbia: the potential of forensic entomology for determining duration of possible neglect. Can Vet J, 4: 993–998.

Devrajani, K., M. Abubakar, S.A. Fazlani, F. Shahid, Q.A. Shah, and I. Rashid (2010). Occurrence and Prevalence of

Bacterial Species as Identified from Camel Wounds. IJAVMS, 4(4): 96-104.

Hall, M.J.R., R. Farkas, F. Kelemen, M. Hosier and J.M. El-Khoga (1995). Orientation of agents of wound myiasis to hosts and artificial stimuli in Hungary. Medi and Vet Ento, 9: 77–84.

Kumar, V. and A. Raj (2012). Management of wound myiasis in a lion (Panthera leo), IJAVMS, 6(1): 4-6.

Wieckowski, T., G. Wibbelt, P. Kretschmar, H. Hofer, S. Seet (2009). Feline miliary dermatitis in captive African lion (Panthera leo). Proceedings of the International Conference on Diseases of Zoo and Wild Animals, Beekse Bergen, 346-348.

Fig 3. Wound after dressing


IntroductionWetlands are places where the land is covered by shallow water: marshes, ponds, the edges of large lakes and rivers, and low-lying areas that flood regularly. Wetlands brim with life: plants, microscopic animals, invertebrates fish, amphibians, birds and mammals. Wetlands also have their special plant communities - rooted plants like reeds, cattails, sedges, lotus and water lilies in the shallows and floating plants like duckweed and water hyacinth in deeper water. Lakes and ponds are inlets of lakes support a great diversity of plant and animal life. The muddy lake bottom is home to a host of creatures - flatworms, segmented worms, molluscs, crustaceans and insect larvae. The tangled roots of reeds and rushes provide shelter for breeding fish, frogs and newts. Water birds and a variety of mammals and reptiles nest and feed in the wetland vegetation near the shore. Wetlands are great places to see a wide variety of bird life. Birds that feed and breed in freshwater wetlands include ducks and geese, wading birds like sandpipers and plovers, gulls and terns, herons, cranes, fish eagles, and a huge number of smaller birds like kingfishers, weavers, warblers and finches. Wetland birds have adapted to life in or near water in many ways. Some ducks dabble in the mud for worms and crustacean with their heads under water, others dive deep to feed on algae growing on the lake bed.

Significant of Environmental EducationEnvironment based education increases specific critical thinking skills central to “good science” questioning, investigating, forming hypotheses, interpreting data, analyzing, developing conclusions, and solving problems.

Environmental education emphasizes cooperative learning (working in teams or with partners), critical thinking and discussion, hands-on activities, and a focus on action strategies with real world applications. As a result, students who study EE develop and practice the following leadership skills: working in teams, listening to and accepting diverse opinions, solving real-world problems, taking the long-term view, promoting actions that serve the larger good, connecting with the community and making a difference in the world. Using outdoor settings like wetlands, schoolyard habitats, or even national parks can infuse a sense of richness and relevance into a traditional school curriculum.

The environment-based approach to education lays the foundation for building students’ problem solving skills. Environment-based education employs these key strategies for teaching creative and successful problem solving: introducing inquiry-based instructional activities with real world applications, encouraging critical thinking about these activities, allowing individual choice about and engagement in

the particular problem to be solved, helping students make connections between disciplines, and fostering independent and cooperative group learning.

Sometimes traditional instruction, such as lecturing, is the most practical approach to covering broad content. But when students learn through a problem or project based approach a key strategy in environment-based education they gain a better understanding of what they learn, they retain it longer, and they take charge of their own learning key skills for success in our data-driven, rapidly changing world. They’ve become local experts in community stewardship, even educating local citizens, government authorities, and the press about environmental planning and protection. As a result of their service activities, students displayed fewer discipline problems and met with unprecedented academic success.

Environmental educators often find that students who fail in traditional

Teaching Biodiversity in Freshwater wetlands - A field based teaching strategy for school studentsR. Alexandar* and G. Poyyamoli

The awareness materials produced by ZOO were used for freshwater wetlands conservation activities

Department of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India.Email: *[email protected]




school settings can succeed when the natural outdoor environment becomes the students’ classroom. For example, students who learn best by doing can be as successful as students who learn best through lectures and books.

Environmental education – A global priorityThe major two UN Conference on Human Environment, one at Stockholm held in 1972, the first Intergovernmental Conference on Environmental Education held at Tbilisi, Georgia 1977, and the second UN Conference on Environment and Development held at Rio de Janerio in 1992 have brought EE on the global agenda. The recommendations, particularly in Chapter 36 of AGENDA 21 (Rio– 1992), call upon reorientation of education (formal and non-formal) towards improving the capacity of the people to address environment and development issues. The agenda strongly advocates strengthening of awareness component for sustainability of earth’s biological diversity. The Global Forum on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development, convened by the Indian Environmental Society

(September 1993) recommended that, (i) EE should be integrated into the curriculum from the pre-primary to the university level, and (ii) teachers’ training and their participation should be ensured through periodic programmes.

Indian scenarioEnvironmental education programmes in India gained momentum during the last three decades. While reviewing overall progress made under formal education, it is encouraging to note that EE components find satisfactory coverage in the school curriculum developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Likewise, in the non-formal sector, several organizations such as Centre for Environmental Education (CEE), Ahmadabad; Environmental Education Centre, Chennai (CPR); Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) National Museum of Natural History, New Delhi, etc. have contributed in creating environmental awareness among students and community and as a component of formal education at the school level. However, the EE scenario at college, university level has not been impressive. Notwithstanding

these efforts, in a country like India – with vast geographic area, richness and uniqueness of ecosystems, and diversity of socio-cultural environment, most of the EE programmes do not address issues of the entire nation. In this context, the education process needs to consider diverse features of this country. Therefore, development and implementation of EE perspectives to cover location, region-specific concerns would require specific strategies. Freshwater wetlands comprise suitable areas and subjects for involving students in ecology; they deserve special interest because of the variety of ecosystems, species and natural biotopes (Eirini Papapanagou, Argyro Tiniakou & Theodoros Georgiadis, 2005). The importance of the students being engaged in the exploration of concepts, issues and ideas often involves hands-on investigation into real-world sites, issues and problems and working collaboratively on relevant multi-disciplinary projects to which they can feel connected. It also requires the posing of significant questions that can be investigated (Cragg 1998, Lord and Orkwiszewski 2006). Fresh water wetlands is diversified with variety of living creature that constitute suitable areas and subjects for involving students in ecology and environmental biology; they deserve special interest because of the variety of living creatures, flora and ecological complexes. The Ousteri freshwater wetland ecologically diverse site is declared as bird sanctuary by the government of Puducherry and kaliveli tank is major freshwater as well as brackish water wetland and is one of the important bird areas in south India protected by Tamil Nadu forest department. Although many regulations have been introduced to combat non-sustainable activities within the wetland and its watershed, it has been subject to severe human

Students are making mind map on freshwater wetland concept


interference resulting in degradation of the natural environment. The aim of the present study is to use field trips for wetland biodiversity assessments and poses positive conservation behaviour.

Study area descriptionOusteri lake is located between 79o 44.22' 11o 56.85' its spreads over 800 ha partly in Puducherry and partly in Tamil Nadu. The lake depends on its catchment for 75% of its water; the rest comes from diversion channels from Suthukeni. The lake is an internationally important site for migratory birds; the lake’s most valuable use is for irrigation and ground recharge. The lake has rich floral diversity of over 200 species of plants belonging to 60 families. It has extensive aquatic flora of the floating, submerged and emergent type. The Lake is declared as bird sanctuary by the government of Puducherry and it also identified as Important Bird Area (BirdLife International, 2004). The study area experiences mean annual temperature of 30.0°C and mean annual rainfall about 1311-1172 mm. The mean number of annual rainy days is 55, the mean monthly temperature ranges from 21.3-30.2°C. The climate is tropical dissymmetric with the bulk of the rainfall during northeast monsoon October-December.

Biodiversity wealth of Ousteri LakeThe lake supports diverse flora and fauna. The flora consists of herbs 191, trees 103, stragglers 20, climbers 40, and grasses 63 species. The faunal diversity of the lake such as turtles 3, lizards 10, and snakes 16 were recorded. The avifaunal diversity was recorded 166 species both native and migratory. Butterfly 63 species were recorded in this lake. The fish species were found 25 including native and introduced (CMAP, 2011). The lake are under serious threats in the recent times, the lake exposed to various anthropogenic threats such as habitat loss, encroachment of agriculture, industrial growth, eutrophication, real estate, hunting and poaching were prevalent in the Ousteri bird sanctuary (CMAP Report, 2011, Azeez et al. 2008 and 2009). All these activities are resulting in reduce of biodiversity wealth of the Ousteri lake ecosystem.

Study area description of Kaliveli tankKaliveli Tank is located between 79o 50.00' 12o 10.00' its spreads over 7,500 ha is a semi-permanent, fresh to brackish water lagoon, which empties into the sea through a narrow channel connecting the tank with the Yedayanthittu Estuary to the northeast near Marakkanam. The water level in the tank fluctuates according to precipitation; the tank reaches its maximum extent at the end of the Northeast Monsoon, and in years of low rainfall, dries out completely for a few months during the summer. At such times, the encroachment of paddy fields reduces the size of the tank by as much as one third. The average depth of water at the end of the monsoon is

about 1 m and the maximum after heavy rainfall, about 2 m. By the end of the monsoon, the lagoon is normally full of freshwater, from the run-off from neighbouring farmland. Subsequently, as the inflow of freshwater diminishes, there is some inflow of seawater from the estuary, and the lagoon becomes brackish, particularly at its northern end. The lagoon is occasionally flooded by seawater during cyclonic disturbances (Scott 1989). Yedayanthittu estuary lies about 3 km to the northeast of the tank. This estuary has large areas of inter-tidal mudflats, but only tiny relicts of the once extensive mangrove forests now remain. There are some 500 ha of saltpans alongside the estuary immediately to the north of the Marakkanam road bridge across the channel from Kaliveli Tank. Until about 25 years ago, the entire region was heavily forested, but almost all the forest has been cleared, and the tank and estuary are now surrounded by cultivation and scrubby thorn woodland. There are some low sand dunes by the channel linking the tank to the estuary. The Kaliveli watershed extends from Auroville Plateau south for about 30 km and has an area of approximately 25,000 ha (Scott 1989). These sites have a wide variety of sedges and grasses, interspersed with barren sandy areas and muddy margins. As the lake fills with freshwater in November, numerous aquatic plants germinate. Amongst the many species of algae in the brackish areas, Enteromorpha intestinal is particularly common. There are extensive reed beds and sedges in the less saline areas. A few straggly mangrove bushes are all that remain of what must once have been a large mangrove forest (Pieter 1987). The wetlands are situated amidst agricultural land and arid thorn scrub.

MethodologyClassroom sessionThe freshwater wetland education programs were conducted during 2013 August to February 2014. About 180 students from two schools in Puducherry and one school from Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu, they were equally divided into two groups in each school one group kept as control and another group kept as experimental group in each school. The schools were selected around the wetlands as their livelihoods and recreational options are tied to these freshwater wetlands. At the beginning of the freshwater wetland education program, both groups were pre-tested to assess their existing knowledge and attitude on the basic concept of freshwater wetland ecosystem, its services, associated flora and fauna, threats and conservation. The students attitude assessment was assessed with standard questionnaire (Table 1) prepared by (Daniel, et.al.,) the questions with three point scale such as happy, impartial and unhappy with diagrammatic representations. The experimental group students were then facilitated with various active classroom interactive sessions which comprises student centred


teaching learning educational methods lectures with power point presentations, debates, quiz competitions, games, drama, mind maps, autobiography, competitions and documentary film shows.

At the end of the program both control and experimental group students were post tested with same questionnaire as administered in the pre-test in order to assess the impact of field based biodiversity education on control and experimental group. Reports about the flora and fauna of the region are based on bibliographic data and our own field observations were prepared. For the pressures on the region’s environment (threats, degradation) our personal observations were taken into account as well as data derived from standard publications.

A mind map is a graphical way to represent the ideas and any concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that helps structuring information, helping you to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas. In a mind map, as opposed to traditional note taking or a linear text, information is structured in a way that resembles much more closely how your brain actually works. Students in this freshwater wetland conservation program were assigned to draw a mind map related with nearby freshwater wetlands. At the initial stage they were drawn a simple mind map, after the complete wetland program they drawn a very complicated mind map related with freshwater wetlands its plant and animals and its threats.

Different aspects of wetland biodiversity exercises were carried out during the field trips. Three short exercises; biodiversity inventory of plants, faunal diversity such as birds, reptiles, arthropods (Butterflies and dragonflies), and identifying various threats to the biodiversity (anthropogenic and natural). Such

Questions related to students perception on freshwater wetlands

Happy Impartial

Unhappy

Close your eyes and visualize you’re in the Ousteri freshwater wetlands. You feel the cool breeze and hear the running water, how does it make you feel

91.7 8.3 0.00

You learn from a book that a variety of plants and animals live in the freshwaters of our own wetlands. What do feel about it?

50 50 0.00

You hear from a scientific report that the freshwater diversity of our villages is facing high level of threat. How does it make you feel?

0.00 41.7 58.3

Ousteri Lake is one of the important wetland in the Puducherry region rich in species diversity. How does it make you feel?

91.7 0.00 8.3

You learn from a learned source that freshwater plants and animals is a source of living for thousands of people. How does it make you feel?

50 33.3 16.7

It specifically reported that overall species richness and number of species in the Ousteri bird sanctuary are decreasing. How does it make you feel?

0.00 0.00 100

Many communities are directly dependent upon the resources that wetlands provide in the Ousteri lake. How does it make you feel?

8.3 41.7 50

In Ousteri lake found that 195 species of birds, 200 species of plants are threatened with various human activities. How does it make you feel?

16.7 8.3 75

Freshwater biodiversity provide value to human society by direct services such as fish for food or water purification for drinking and indirect services such as nutrient cycling, flood control and water filtration. What is your feeling about this?

83.3 0.00 16.7

Freshwater ecosystem support various orders of animals, plants and fungi, contributing to a quarter of vertebrates diversity and almost as much of the invertebrate diversity that has been described to date. How does it make you feel?

66.7 16.7 16.7

Some major threats to freshwater biodiversity of Ousteri lake/Kaliveli are overexploitation, water pollution, flow modification, habitat degradation and invasion by exotic species. How does it make you feel?

0.00 8.3 91.7

Assessing the status of species provides the means to monitor biodiversity trends and losses and helps in setting priorities for species conservation. How does it make you feel?

66.7 33.3 0.00

Poaching and hunting of birds, reptiles and other freshwater organisms are prevalent in Ousteri / Kaliveli freshwater wetlands. How does it make you feel?

16.7 0.00 83.3

This climate change and biodiversity education programs providing lot of information and changing my attitude and behaviour. How does it make you feel?

33.3 41.7 25

I visit lakes, ponds during my school holidays for enjoying nature and watch the biological diversity associated with freshwater wetlands. How does it make you feel?

83.3 16.7 0.00

I would like to live in a healthy natural ecosystem village, like undisturbed freshwater wetlands, natural vegetations and forests. How does it make you feel?

83.3 0.00 8.3

Table 1 Questions related to students perception on freshwater wetlands


exercises conducted 4 to 8 hours of total ecological exercises, (Table 2). At the end of the course, students were encouraged to use their abilities to convert observations in real ecological settings to the scientific process by developing individual projects.

Equipment, Sampling, On-site Lab Work and ecological methodsIn order to create biodiversity assessments, it was important for the students in freshwater wetland education program not only to learn about the plants and animals associated with fresh water wetlands, but also students to understand how this biodiversity services to the human society, environment and its various threats can be assessed in the field. With basic field equipments such as forceps, nets, buckets, shovels, sieves, portable field water monitoring kits, binocular, small cameras and collection jars, the students surveyed the diversity of riparian vegetations and hydrophytes plants and animals living in the water and land. Different sampling strategies, such as transects and plots, were utilized to more systematically cover the area sampled, and for this, students used a tape measure and poles to map out the sampling plot for plant and animal studies. Because the richness of the students’ experiences during a biodiversity course is dependent on unveiling this diversity, finding a successful sampling strategy is pivotal. The basic water quality tests were also conducted during the wetland study such as dissolved oxygen

conducted at the spot in order to understand its significance of freshwater organisms in addition to this PH, temperature and nitrates were also assessed. The direct observation method was used to identify the various threats to bird’s population both the native and migratory birds and its habitats. Identification of organisms collected in the field was based on detailed regional field guides for freshwater wetland that are catalogued at study area

(Daniel, et.al.,).

Results and discussionsBy experiencing students with freshwater wetland through the short wetland exposures, students discovered the fascinating biodiversity of the fresh water wetland in their own native place. They learned more about general concepts in biodiversity and lake ecology addressed in their textbook some extent as well as the ecological attributes of the local wetland plant and animal community. Students reported that the field level exercises also built up their hands-on experiences and a sense of nature. Overall, the attitude assessment survey indicated a significant difference between students’ attitudes before and after taking the course (F = 5.815, p < 0.028). The short fresh water wetland field exercises mild modified students’ positive values of the fresh water wetland biodiversity, particularly the belief that fresh water wetland field are sources of richness of biodiversity and livelihoods for local community.Environmental education among students may not be fully

developed unless the ecological exercises integrate approaches for building up environmental values

(Eiss and Harbeck, 1969). An increase in average post-test scores of attitude and perception towards nature values indicated that ecological exercises that stimulate the affective domain necessarily sustain environmental awareness, ecological knowledge and skills. Field based environmental education can stimulate the affective domain of the learning process, limits students’ practical knowledge and skills in environmentally responsible actions (Eiss and Harbeck 1969). In the present study students showed their interest on conserving fresh water wetland biodiversity as well as the wetland education was great source to improve student’s creativity.

The freshwater wetland-based experiences improved student’s attitudes and perceptions mildly changed conservation behaviour on local fresh water ecosystem. As a result, it is a solution for wetland protection and conservation that provides great opportunities for local students as well as student’s perception and attitude changes to conserve these important natural precious ecosystems that serve livelihood options for local community as well sustainable environment. An inspiring biodiversity field course for school students need not be prohibitively expensive or difficult. Biodiversity field-based education coupled with the subsequent lab work will provide students with a new look at the natural world that would be impossible solely in the classroom settings.

Conservation of freshwater wetlands The Government of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu has initiating various steps to conserve the important fresh water wetlands as one of initiatives the Comprehensive Management

Exercises Purpose

Plant diversity inventory Students learn diversity of organisms in their local environment

Faunal diversity Inventory Students learn diversity of organisms in their local environment

Assessment of threats to biodiversity

Students learn various threats to biodiversity both from anthropogenic and natural

Table 2. Conceptual framework of ecological exercises conducted at Ousteri freshwater wetland of Puducherry


Action Plan (CMAP) for Conservation of the Ousteri lake report done by Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore have suggested various management plans such as protection, prevention of encroachment and control of polluting activities, eco-restoration and initiating habitat improvement programs. Even though various environmental laws and policies empowered to conserve and protect natural resources, the effective environmental education will change the students attitudes, concerns and behaviour towards to conserve the local biological resources is very important in the conservation management plan.

AcknowledgementsI thank ICSSR New Delhi for their financial support to conduct this project. I extent my thanks to director of school education, Puducherry for their kind permission to carry out my research in Puducherry schools, I also thank the school principal of Anumandhai Government Higher Secondary School for his permission to conduct my research work, I thank to school principal Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya School, Puducherry for his interest and permission to work with JNV School, Puducherry. I very much thanks to Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore for their freshwater wetlands related awareness materials and activity guide to conduct freshwater wetland conservation programs for school students in Puducherry and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu. ReferencesAzeez, P.A., S. Bhupathy, J. Ranjini, R. Dhanya and P.P. Nikhil Raj (2008). Management Plan for the Eco-restoration of Pallikaranai Reserve Forest. Report submitted to SACON, pp. 1-62.

Azeez, P.A., S. Bhupathy, P.P. Nikhil Raj and R. Chandra (2009). Conservation of KottuliWetlands, Calicut, Kerala. Report submitted to Tourist Resorts (Kerala) Limited. pp. 1-66.

BirdLife International (2014). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Ousteri Lake. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/03/2014.

BirdLife International (2014). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Kaliveli Tank and Yeduyanthittu estuary. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26/03/2014.

CMAP 2011, Comprehensive Management Action Plan for Conservation of Ousteri Lake, Puducherry Draft Report (November 2010 – January 2011). Submitted to The Department of Forests and Wildlife, Government of Puducherry.

Cragg, P.B., (1998). Site visits as a teaching method in information systems courses. Proceedings of the International Academy for Information Management (IAIM) annual conference. International Academy for Information Management: Helsinki, Finland, IR 057 374.

Daniel, B.A., Sanjay Molur, and Sally Walker (2013). The Sahyadri freshwater Biodiversity conservation teaching guide, Zoo Outreach organization, Ciombatore, India.

Eirini Papapanagou, Argyro Tiniakou & Theodoros Georgiadis (2005). Environmental education in wetland ecosystems, Journal of Biological Education, 40:1, 25-30.

Eiss, A., and M. Harbeck (1969). Behavioural objectives in the affective domain. Washington, DC: National Science Teachers Association.

Lord, T. and T. Orkwiszewski (2006). Moving from didactic to inquiry-based instruction in a science laboratory. American Biology Teacher, 68 (6), 342–345.

Pieter (1987) Kaliveli Tank and Yedayanthittu Estuary - a little known wetland habitat in Tamil Nadu. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc 84: 210-214.

Scott, D.A. (1989) A Directory of Asian Wetlands. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, xiv+1181 pp., 33 maps.

http://www.birdlife.org







Having a desire to work with wild animals I found a host in Jamshedpur Zoo. I was appointed to work under my mentor, the Zoo Biologist cum Education Officer, Miss Seema Rani. I joined work on 16th July, 2013 and during this time my experience with each and every animal was different.

During orientation period, my mentor took me around the Zoo and I had the chance to see and feel what I had just read in books or saw on Animal Planet. I came across many birds, small animals and insects present in the Zoo which never failed to draw my attention, like, Little Cormorants, Pond Heron, Bee eater, Sun bird, White Wagtail, Stone Curlew, Water Hen, Common Myna, Starling, Small Blue Kingfisher, Red Breasted Kingfisher, Rose ringed Parakeet, Squirrels, Common Mongoose, etc.

Jamshedpur Zoo has a “World of Parrots” displaying 9 different species of Parakeets and two little surprises awaited me. Once out of curiosity I whistled and called out, “Mithu” to the Large Indian Parakeet/Alexandrine. One of them replied back. Another day a wild Rose Ringed Parakeet hovered around the enclosure of the Sun Conure and I saw the Sun Conure take some seeds from its feeding bowl to feed the parrot outside.

The monkeys, Rhesus Macaque and Bonnet monkey looked the same to me before I read the signages to notice that Bonnet monkeys not only differ in colour but had longer tails and also a patch of fur on top of their heads which resembled a bonnet!

The Hippopotamus rested more often. But there was more to the territorial herbivore. A “yawn” of a Hippo, as I had once read, was not a sign of laziness but a warning to

back off and when I saw it for the first time I could not even blink. The pheasants, on the other hand, are a constant reminder of the fact that in the animal kingdom males are more attractive than the females.

I watched Peacocks’ dancing a couple of times and attracting a peahen to mate. There is a myth that they dance because it is going to rain but it is actually because their breeding season coincides with monsoon in July and August.

A Deer Safari displays Sambar, Nilgai, Spotted Deer and normal coloured and Albino Blackbucks, in open area visited by bus. In the deer family, the males of Spotted deer, Hog deer, Barking deer and Sambar flaunted their sets of “antlers” that fall after the breeding season every year. Nilgai/ Blue Bull and Blackbucks, however, had “horns” which come out and stay lifelong. The coats of males of both these species undergo a colour transition as they reach sexual maturity and they turn black while the females remain brown throughout.The Butterfly Park hosted

colourful spectacular creatures that hovered around during the day and miraculously hid when sunset neared.

The Striped Hyena enclosure hosted a nocturnal pair of mother and daughter that lazed all day.

In the Aviary which was previously known as “Pets’ park”, the Hill Myna called out its name and other noises like other bird calls and whistles of the visitors.

Reptiles, a Crocodile and four Gharials lay down with the least movements and visitors often asked if they were real or statues made up of stone!

The zoo staff were of a very friendly nature. They were good to me and helped me out when needed. The Director, Mr. Bipul Chakrabarty, was approachable and generous with help and advice. He was the reason why Jamshedpur Zoo could exhibit pure bred African Lions and the world’s

My Volunteering experience at Jamshedpur Zoological ParkJayashree Ram Mohan*

The author near Peafowl enclosure at Jamshedpur Zoo

*Zoo Volunteer, Jamshedpur Zoological Park. Email: [email protected]




The Director, Mr. Bipul Chakrabarty, made himself quite approachable and was always generous enough to help and give me advise whether it was about my reports or otherwise. He was the reason why Jamshedpur Zoo could exhibit pure bred African Lions and the world’s largest monkeys, Mandrills. The Zoo Veterinary Hospital which was a visitor restricted area was under the Deputy Director cum Veterinary Officer, Dr. Manik Palit, a very encouraging individual and would tell me about the medicines and treatment as and when I was a part of it. The Zoo Curator Mr. Sanjay Kumar Mahato, helped me in identifying all the birds and of course met me every day, motivating me when I had trouble on and off the field. He even took me to the butterfly park and showed the larvas in the larva room where he successfully bred different kinds of butterflies. Before that informative session I knew nothing about them. My mentor, Miss Seema Rani, was a pillar throughout this journey and I couldn’t thank her enough for the unconditional guidance and support, she gave me each and every day I spent in the Zoo.

The sign of a good organization is when the authorities are helpful and encouraging which makes the workplace enjoyable!. During my 8 months stay, my life was an adventure with a number of privileges given only to a volunteer.

My experiences with deer were among the most interesting. One day a Barking deer was hurt due to a fight and critically injured due to the stomach having been torn. He was being stitched and he struggled to run away which made treatment a difficult task. Another day I saw a Nilgai giving birth to twins. The mother licked and nudged them to get up and they gradually did. I also accompanied the keeper at nervous Spotted Deer enclosure.Another keeper was having a problem putting the male “Motu” inside the feeding cell as the Zoo was about to close. My mentor and I stepped in to help. I caught his attention by calling out his name and kept walking, he followed me obediently and from the other side my mentor called him. She suggested the keeper to use honey as an incentive which worked well.

My personal favourite were the African Lions. Although I started my observation on them from November I was present every day when they were released to the display area, and of course in every treatment. They were brought from South Africa and were very fond of humans. I was delighted to be a part of the team, calling them in order to throw turmeric at them. I also submitted a report on my behavioural observation on these juvenile Lions.

The tigers were opposite, known for her temper and ironically named “Shanti” (meaning peace). The

male, “Raghav” was of intiminating size. They had a female cub named “Dona”. She was 1year 3months the first time I approached her and she stood still, watching me, as I slowly but steadily approached her at the feeding cell area. I called out her name twice and I was astonished to get a “prusten” in reply. “Prusten” or chuff is a sound tigers use to communicate with other tigers or with keepers.

The leopards were friendlier than the other two Big Cats. I was appointed to study the leopards first and I ended up writing a paper on “Comparative behavioural observation of two female leopards and their cubs in two different conditions”.

There is a nature trail alongside a rivulet through which water of the Jayanti Sarovar (lake) flows into the Subharnarekha River where one of our keepers had released a 20kg python that he caught from the Capuchin Monkey enclosure.

The nature trail led to the large flightless birds Ostrich and Emus. The emus used to fluff up their feathers near their neck when visitors approached. Most probably a defensive technique to make themselves look larger than real.

There is also a Bat Island which is full of Fruit Bats. Once we got a dead fruit bat near the Deer Safari and my mentor suggested we take measurements and write a paper on it.

I took part of various programmes like Van Mahaotsav, Wildlife Week Celebration, Nature Camp, Animal Welfare Fortnight, World Forestry Day which the Zoo organizes. From taking visitors for a Zoo visit to organize a Debate and a Quiz Competition, I had done it all. I also conducted “touch and learn” programmes, under the guidance of my mentor in Nature Education Centre which had specimens of antlers, horns, nest, hive, eggs, stool, pugmarks etc. and by letting each child touch and feel, we taught them about the animals present in the Zoo. My mentor gave me enough opportunities to get rid of my stage fear. I improved on my interpersonal skills also and now thanks to the Zoo I am a more confident individual.

People mostly go for mainstream careers that can give them a fat salary and a satisfying pension. A Zoological Park is not a profitable business for employees but it is life-changing. We have only taken from nature and we should learn how to give back. In Wildlife there is always a new adventure to look out for but so does Jamshedpur Zoo. “Join as a Volunteer! The Wild Awaits You!”


Popular writings – elucidating natural history – hold mesmerizing forte over the scientific writing of the same cluttered with innumerable references and cross references. As writer re-explores his sphere of freedom with judgments and travelogue, words started revealing the portrayals of novel. All the same, an autobiography, Peter Smetacek’s BUTTERFLIES ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD: A MEMOIR possesses same passionate clutch. It is the story of a boy hailed from the foothills of Himalaya, laden with divine beauty of elders and oaks, grassy meadows and hill-side ravines; brought with observing the splendor of ‘Orange Oakleafs’ in Bhimtal.

Though the theme tune of butterfly was his grandfather’s legacy, it actually got brushed-up by his parents. Peter’s father shared his interest on a common ground. He had huge collections on Lepidoptera and mother who was shocked to know that her child was crying for getting those scientific names. They never discouraged to the little eight years’ to walk four kilometers away from home into the forests with returning safety. White screens, mercury vapor lamps and a bowl with rotten fruits were the requisites of their evening entertainment. In 1983, after completing the schools, Peter started rebuilding the collections over the next three decades and celebrated his career in the subject butterflies. Today he has Butterfly Research Center in Bhimtal. He is the first post-independence Indian to describe a new taxon of butterfly in 2004 and has fourth largest collection of butterflies and moths (with 12,000 specimens) in India.

Peter’s writing possesses glory of keenness which is rather exception

in Indian authorship. The story starts from MY FIRST BUTTERFLIES in Nainital. He made vivid reflection on history and art of collecting butterflies in OF COLLECTIONS AND COLLECTORS since 17th century. Readers also come across THE NAMING OF BUTTERFLIES, their identification, seasonal forms and mimics. And interpreted about “…butterfly can think”. During NIGHTS IN THE HIMALAYAN FORESTS, author give exquisite accounts on snakes, geckos, owls, beetles, spiders, mantises, dragonflies and… what not!

MOTHS ON THE MEADOWS enlightened the interrelationship between Lepidoptera fauna and bats. Readers would get surprised to know that honey of Himalayan Rock Bee could be poisonous! They would also encounter origin of the word butterfly, an unsound corruption of Flutter bye. MEN OF SCIENCE describes the lore of Lepidopterists along with stumble-strives of many butterfly enthusiasts. A certain species of moth – the Ghost – gets infected with a fungus and costs quite high as gold in the market flagging off a GOLDEN RUSH FOR THE GHOST. Other STRANGE TALES FROM THE HILLS are equally astonishing. Peter humorously tells how an off-road ride for HUNTING THE BLACK PRINCE which turned into an ordeal on the road. On this trip, he got entrapped in a Nepali euphemism associate with the phrase ‘butterfly hunters’. Cattle grazing has an overlooked effect on the existence of butterfly community. Author is quite certain regarding butterflies as weather prophets and reassuring their assistance to monitor our forests. Misfortunately, the entire population of the world’s largest butterfly, the Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing, restricted in an area roughly around hundred square

kilometer and suffering survival threats. Meanwhile, “…we have failed to accept our place in the natural hierarchy” is fairly unobjectionable.

Above all, Peter’s writing has an untouched melody of graphic descriptions. Indeed, ‘lives of fortnights’ are at the heart of his entire life. Whenever, one reads natural history, he does not get perfect knowledge of the authors’ progeny. But combination amongst autobiography and natural history get this book a genuine blend and marked it as perfect ‘memoir’! Many authors have tried to describe such type of memoirs. Nevertheless, readers at large in India are still become habitual to sense such writings.

Of ‘memories of butterflies’, no doubt, they had already chaired in your Reading landscapes!

BOOK REVIEW: Butterflies on the roof of the world: A memoir by Peter Smetacek, Published by Aleph Book Company, pp. 224, Price: Rs. 495Reviewed by Milind D. Patil

*College of Forestry, D.B.S.K.K.V., Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Email: [email protected]



Publication Information

ZOO’s PRINT, ISSN 0973-2543Published at: CoimbatoreOwner: Zoo Outreach Organisation, 96, Kumudham Nagar, Vilankurichi Road, CBE 35

Editor: Sally R. WalkerAssociate Editors: R.V. Sanjay Molur and Daniel B. AyyachamyManaging Editor: Latha G. RavikumarEditorial Assistant: R. Marimuthu

Zoo Outreach Organisation Trust Committee and Sr. Staff Managing Trustee: Sally R. WalkerChairman Trustee: R. NandiniExecutive Director Trustee: R.V. Sanjay MolurFinance Director Trustee: Latha G. RavikumarScientist: B.A. DanielResearcher: R. MarimuthuOther staff: B. Ravichandran, R. Pravin Kumar, K. Geetha, S. Radhika, Arul Jagadish, K. Raveendran, S. Sarojamma

ZOOs’ PRINT magazine is informal and newsy as opposed to a scientific publication. ZOOS’ PRINT magazine sometimes includes semi-scientific and technical articles which are reviewed only for factual errors, not peer-reviewed.

Address Zoo Outreach Organisation Post Box 5912, 96, Kumudham Nagar, Vilankurichi RoadCoimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641 035, IndiaPhone: +91 422 2665298Fax: +91 422 2665472E-mail: [email protected]: www.zooreach.org, www.zoosprint.org

ZOO’s PRINT Publication Guidelines

We welcome articles from the conservation community of all SAARC countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other tropical countries if relevant to SAARC countries’ problems and potential.

Type — Articles of semi-scientific or technical nature. News, notes, announcements of interest to conservation community and personal opinion pieces.

Feature articles — articles of a conjectural nature — opinions, theoretical, subjective.

Case reports: case studies or notes, short factual reports and descriptions.

News and announcements — short items of news or announcements of interest to zoo and wildlife community

Cartoons, puzzles, crossword and stories

Subject matter: Captive breeding, (wild) animal husbandry and management, wildlife management, field notes, conservation biology, population dynamics, population genetics, conservation education and interpretation, wild animal welfare, conservation of flora, natural history and history of zoos. Articles on rare breeds of domestic animals are also considered.

Source: Zoos, breeding facilities, holding facilities, rescue centres, research institutes, wildlife departments, wildlife protected areas, bioparks, conservation centres, botanic gardens, museums, universities, etc. Individuals interested in conservation with information and opinions to share can submit articles ZOOS’ PRINT magazine.

Manuscript requirementsArticles should by typed into a Word format and emailed to [email protected]. Avoid indents, all caps or any other fancy typesetting. You may send photos, illustrations, tables.

Articles which should contain citations should follow this guideline: a bibliography organized alphabetically and containing all details referred in the following style: surname, initial(s), year, title of the article, name of journal, volume, number, pages.

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The 41st Annual AAZK National ConferenceOrlando, FL

September 8-12, 2014

“Keepers Making a World of

Difference”Hosted by Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment and the Greater

Orlando Chapter of AAZK

We are happy to announce that registration is now “live” and you are welcome to register for the

2014 National AAZK Conference.

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