A Kolkata-based animal rights group, demanding abolition of zoological parks in urban areas, has found global support for its movement. The Compassionate Crusaders Trust (CCT), a strategic partner of Maneka Gandhi's People for Animals (PFA), was Kolkata's sole representative in the biennial animal welfare meet 'Asia for Animals' that recently took place in Singapore.
Some 200 delegates from 20 Asian countries and representatives from the US and Canada resolved to strengthen their movement against urban zoos. Singapore has one of the world's biggest urban zoos.
"We are against the idea of zoos as centres for entertainment. We had filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court in 1998 which led to zoo authorities taking better care of animals and their living conditions," Debasish Chakraborty of CCT told IANS. He also represents the PFA in Kolkata.Indian zoo laws stipulate that animals should be kept in conditions as close to nature as possible. But in most zoos wild animals are kept in crammed cages and dirty enclosures.
CCT said the zoo authorities were violating laws that forbid sick and weak animals from being displayed for the public.
"Having a shed over their head and concrete floor under their feet is not the wild animals' idea of living close to nature. Instead of wasting money on zoos, authorities should build animal rescue and conservation centres," Chakraborty said.
{{/usCountry}}"Having a shed over their head and concrete floor under their feet is not the wild animals' idea of living close to nature. Instead of wasting money on zoos, authorities should build animal rescue and conservation centres," Chakraborty said.
{{/usCountry}}A central zoo authority official said they were preparing a list of guidelines that would ensure better living conditions for the animals.
Chakraborty emphasised: "It's because of our efforts that talks of relocating the city's zoo have been doing the rounds."Use of animals has been banned in circuses in India but wildlife, especially several endangered species like tiger, are under constant threat. At least 10 leopards had died in a wildlife rescue centre in northern Bengal in the past one year.