Ludhiana’s Tiger Safari needs a boost

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 28

Though International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day, is celebrated every year on July 29 to raise awareness about tiger conservation, there are hardly any tigers seen at the Ludhiana zoo. Interestingly, the zoo along the National Highway-1 near Amaltas is called as Tiger Safari, but tigers are difficult to spot here. The zoo has only two tigers — Deepak and Money — both now aged more than 15 years.

As the average age of tigers in captivity is 15 to 20 years, there is an imminent need for more tigers in the zoo. These tigers are taken out of cages and left in the open on alternative days so visitors get to see only one tiger, that too, only if they are lucky.

Officials in the Wildlife Department said they had written to the Central Zoo Authority of India for approval of more tigers and other animals as well, along with the permission for expansion of the zoo.

Khushwinder Singh, Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Phillaur, said, “We have already written to the Central Zoo Authority of India for having two pairs of tigers for this zoo, and the nod for this is expected by August-end.” “Approval for bringing more animals, including alligators, a pair of bears, spotted dear, hog dear, has also been sought,” he added.

“More tigers and cubs are needed for Tiger Safari because that is what people, especially children, come to see here,” said SK Kumar, a resident of Jalandhar Bypass area.

Despite the fact that there is a special ticket of Rs 50 per person for the enclosed van inside Tiger Safari, visitors taking the ride often return disappointed as they hardly get to see tigers.

The idea of a zoo was to make children acquire knowledge about the wildlife better and develop an interest and love for wildlife and nature, he said. However, the zoo had been neglected, he added.

“The administration must pay attention to the development of Tiger Safari by getting more animals and making it more attractive for visitors. It should also improve the overall experience of visitors to attract visitors from across the state and outside,” said Rattan Verma, another resident.