CCTV cameras go missing at Delhi zoo

Two CCTV infrared cameras - each worth about Rs 25,000 - have gone missing from the Himalayan Bear enclosure at the National Zoological Park.

Two CCTV infrared cameras - each worth about Rs 25,000 - have gone missing from the Himalayan Bear enclosure at the National Zoological Park.

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The cameras were installed inside the bear enclosure to document pregnancies and subsequent delivery of the species.

This is because the female bear tends to go deep inside its cave-like enclosure during delivery, and comes out only after the baby bear is about 12 to 15 days old.

"It was found that one of the cameras had been damaged, possibly after one of the bears hit it. The two equipment were pulled down and kept for repair. However, someone moved the two cameras from there," said AK Agnihotri, the zoo's director.

The cameras were installed last year following a 'female bear gone missing during pregnancy' controversy in 2007.

The zoo administration had since then installed infrared cameras to monitor the would-be mother's movements and the birth of the baby at its enclosure at beat number 5.

"Although the zoo administration has no clue on who could have done it, the needle of suspicion pointed towards our electrical workers. So, our staff approached the police," said Riaz Khan, zoo's curator (education).

The Himalayan Black Bear has adapted well to Delhi zoo and city weather, even though it comes from cold regions.