Mumbai: Byculla zoo may open, but aviary shut

With the Byculla zoo likely to open doors on Monday, after almost a year-long break due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Mumbaikars will finally get a glimpse of Royal Bengal Tiger Shakti, who had been acquired by the zoo last year. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

Even as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to open the gates of Veermata Jijabai Bhosle Udyan, i.e., the Byculla zoo after a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be some time before Mumbaikars will be able to visit owing to restrictions following reports of bird flu.

The BMC has claimed that this is the first aviary in the country where native aquatic birds from over 100 species can be viewed by citizens by walking through the aviary. Animals such as the hyena, fox, jackal, leopard, bear and pond turtle, will also be available for public viewing. There will be no additional charges for the same and the entry price remains at R60, which also includes the fee for viewing the much popular penguin enclosure.

The setting up of the aviary was a part of the second phase of the zoo revamp, which includes bringing in lions and a few other exotic birds. But, this has been delayed. Citizens will be allowed to enter the aviary and take a stroll. The nets have been placed at a height of five storeys, so that the birds have room to fly. Sanjay Tripathi, the zoo director, said, "While there has been no effect on the birds, we are not opening the space right now as a precautionary measure."