mid-day editorial: Byculla zoo needs more care than crores

When the Byculla zoo announced its penguin project, animal activists were convinced that the authorities were bringing the birds to Mumbai only to send them to their death. That cynicism seems justified now, with the demise of one of the penguins on Sunday. But the problem goes way beyond these critters - the facility has sent a total of 444 animals to their grave in the last six years.

In each case, the zoo officials denied responsibility and blamed it on age-related ailments. There may be some validity to their claim that there is not enough breeding, resulting in an older population and, therefore, a high mortality rate. However, there have also been several reports about sub-standard conditions at the zoo, warranting immediate action.

For years now, the city zoo, located in such a magnificent environment, has been mired in controversy over its declining population and a general slapdash approach to upkeep. Maybe the authorities should consider privatising the zoo, or look into other solutions. What is evident is that the current system doesn't cut it.

The authorities recently granted crores of rupees to revamp the zoo, but instead of using the money to improve conditions for the existing inmates there, officials decided to fly in eight Humboldt penguins from Seoul, South Korea, knowing full well how delicate these exotic birds are.

Bringing in penguins as attractions does not make up for all that is wrong inside. Crowd-pullers like lions and tigers are not to be seen. We see some vibrancy in the deer population, and in the bird and monkey enclosures, but that really is about it. This is a sad commentary for such a promising space.

This penguin death cannot be seen in isolation; it must work as a catalyst for a complete overhaul, so the city gets a zoo we can be proud of.