Wish to adopt a tiger? Zoo may allow you soon

KOLKATA: If you dream to adopt a tiger or an elephant, your wait might end very soon provided you shell out a few lakhs.

Alipore Zoological Gardens is considering the idea of introducing an "adopt an animal" scheme, which will not only generate more revenue for the authority, but also raise awareness about animals in the society. Any individual or company will be able to sponsor an animal or a group of animals for a maximum period of one year.

"We have not yet decided on the rates of sponsorship. The amount might only include the food and health expenses of animals. We may later incorporate the charges of zoo keepers," said a senior garden official.

Such a system of adopting animals has already been introduced in Hyderabad, Mysore and Pune zoos.

A plaque with the company logo and name of the person sponsoring the enclosure will be displayed on a dimension board. Special benefits, including guided tours, free entry passes and an opportunity for closer interaction with animals will be provided to the sponsors. They can also film or photograph the animal for publicity.

According to preliminary discussions, those sponsoring a tiger may have to pay anything between Rs 2.5 lakh and 3 lakh while for a giraffe, it may be around Rs 1.5 lakh. An elephant can be sponsored for anything between Rs 3 lakh and 4 lakh. "All these sums only include the food and health cost of animals," said the zoo official.

The decision was taken since introducing the policy will encourage love for animals in society.

"The individual or groups that sponsor animals develop an affinity and affection towards nature. There are people in society who want to help animals.

The corporate body also gets recognition as nature lovers. The zoo gets financial assistance which helps in the upkeep of animals. In other zoos where animal adoption has been introduced, certain animals have become the mascot, helping the zoo rope in more finds," added another official.

Adoption, however, will not give individuals the right to handle animals inside the enclosure. "They will also not have any jurisdiction over the management of the animals as the zoo is guided by the Wildlife Act that cannot be violated," explained the officer.

Though the plan is at a nascent state, there are several corporate houses which have already expressed the desire to adopt animals. "An advertising company, a multinational bank and Ballygunj Shiksha Sadan School are among those who had once shown interest in the project. Thus, we hope to get adequate response," concluded the zoo official. In Singapore zoo, those who adopt animals can also celebrate birthdays inside the campus. "It may be an extremely forward thinking plan in the Indian scenario. For the moment, basic adoption plan are on the anvil," the zoo official added.

"We have not taken a decision yet. The reason why zoological gardens allow adoption of animals is because it is a source of revenue and also spreads awareness," said forest secretary KS Rajendrakumar.