Renuka sanctuary zoo awaits nod for tiger enclosure design

Blurb: The mini zoo at the Renuka sanctuary is the oldest in the state, which was initially setup in 1957 with rescued, stray and deserted wild animals from the forests.

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Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 26

Roaring tigers at the mini zoo of the Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary in Sirmaur district are yet to become a reality as the wildlife wing of the State Forest Department has not secured approval for the design of the tiger enclosure from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

Though a design was sent to the CZA in January but certain queries have been raised and they were being addressed by the officials.

Krishna Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer, wildlife wing, said: “Certain queries have been raised by the CZA about the tiger enclosure’s design and our biologist is addressing the concerns. Once it is finalised, it will be sent for approval to the CZA again.”

He said: “After getting the due approval, the required finances will be arranged to construct the enclosure and work to fetch tigers from available sources would be finalised.”

The National Zoological Park had granted approval to bring a pair of tigers here in November 2016. As per the laid norms, permission has to be sought from the CZA as well. Tiger enclosures are supposed to be constructed as per the designs approved by the CZA.

Notably, because of the stringent procedure, the zoo was losing out on tourism in the absence of a major attraction.

It was in 2015 that a 15-year-old lioness, the last of the clan here, died due to prolonged illness. A pair of lions was earlier brought to the zoo from Junagarh in 1975. Over the years, their number multiplied to 32 but all died following inbreeding.

The lion safari was a major attraction for the tourists here and wildlife lovers have been keenly awaiting the arrival of tigers since 2015.

The mini zoo is the oldest zoo of the state, which was initially setup in 1957 with rescued, stray and deserted wild animals from the forests.