Kerala

Captive animals to be shifted to new zoo

The imprisonment of the sambar and spotted deer at the animal rescue centre, Kodanad near Kochi, may end soon. It is the proposal to shift the centre to a more spacious location at Kaprikad, a few kilometres away from the centre that may eventually open the doors of freedom for the animals. The foundation stone for the new zoo will be laid on September 1 and the work on a deer enclosure will begin in the first phase. Forest Minister Binoy Viswom will lay the foundation stone for the new zoo. Though the idea of releasing a few deer from the centre to the adjacent forest has been in the air for quite some time, no one has dared to make a move in this direction. The possible injury and death that the animals may suffer in the process of shifting and the public anger it may trigger have forced the authorities to put the plan on hold.

Now, a safe path has been thrown open before the authorities, as animals will have to be shifted to the new area.

The centre has been overcrowded with deer that bred in captivity. There were instances of animals fighting with each other and some sustaining serious injuries. The centre houses a deer population of over 50 including 35 spotted ones

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K.S. Sudhi

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