New Delhi, May 19: People for Ethical Treatment to Animals (PETA) today dashed off a letter to the Supreme Court and the Central Zoo Authority questioning the Meghalaya Government's decision to open a new zoo at Ri Bhoi district and shift only few selected animals to the Guwahti zoo because of its protest.

“We have read in the Shillong Times that endangered animals like a pair of Hollock Gibbons (Apes) and a Serow (Goat Antelope) would be shifted to Assam State Zoo in Guwahati,” Mrs Anuradha Sawhney, Chief Functionary of PETA said. “ We fail to understand the rationale behind this selective shifting,” she added.

PETA had been complaining that condition of the century-old Lady Hydari Park where the animals were kept was not conducive or in line with prescribed standards of Central Zoo Authority. Confirming this, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Mr V K Nautiyal had said the endangered animals that would be shifted to Assam State Zoo under the apex court direction.

Mr Nautiyal had also said that 75 acres of land had been acquired at Umtrew in Ri-Bhoi district for the purpose of a new zoo and a master plan was being prepared at the cost of Rs 8.36 crore.

Any new zoo that is to be established must get prior permission from the CZA as per the decision of the Supreme Court of India, Mrs Sawhney made it clear. The state government must allocate funds to improve the condition of animals housed and exhibited presently in the zoo rather than establishing a new zoo, she added.

PETA urged the CZA and the Supreme Court to deny permission to the Meghalaya government to set up any new zoo. “The zoo authorities have admitted that the provisions of the Recognition of Zoo Rules are not complied with non compliance of the Zoo rules,” the letter said.

PETA had also complained that the enclosures in the zoo were not designed to meet the full biological needs of the animals besides having no post-mortem facility. It had also pointed out that no screens were provided between the adjacent enclosures to safeguard animals against being excited or stressed due to the visibility of animals in nearby enclosures.

The PCCF himself agrees there is shortage of staff and equipment; the letter said adding, “Surprisingly the Central Zoo Authority has still not closed down the zoo.”

Meanwhile, there were reports of number of cases of animal deaths in the Park. The present zoo also has no full-time veterinary doctor and services of veterinarians from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department is taken during emergency.

“The zoo houses 57 birds and 24 animals of 35 species, all of who are dependent on you for help and support”, the letter said. “ Kindly immediately prohibit the zoo from exhibiting the animals incarcerated in the zoo and issue appropriate directions to relocate the entire animal collection from the zoo,” it added. (eom)