Animal welfare board wants probe into penguin’s death

THEBOARDHAS ALSO ASKED THE ZOO AUTHORITIES TO SAFEGUARD THE REMAINING SEVEN PENGUINS

The animal welfare board of India (AWBI), a statutory body which counsels the Centre on animal welfare, has sought a detailed investigation into the death of a penguin at Byculla zoo on Sunday.

“We request you to kindly investigate and take necessary action in this matter at the earliest and request you to inform the board regarding the action taken to safeguard the remaining seven penguins. It is also requested to forward the detailed report on the reason of death of the penguin ” secretary, AWBI to the union ministry of environment and forests sent on Wednesday.

A copy of the AWBI’S letter was also sent to the member secretary, Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and the director of the Byculla Zoo. The zoo has refused tocommentontheletter “Weare dition of the Byculla zoo and have taken cognisance that they have no expertise to treat such birds. Penguins do not belong there and we will make sure that no such proposals are cleared from the highest level for entertainment,” said Dr Chinny Krishna, vicechairman, AWBI.

“According to our communication with Byculla zoo officials, we found that they had taken adequate care of the penguins and they have the expertise to safeguard remaining ones. We will be reaching out to forest officials to check whether they have any contradictory statements,” said Sanjaythakre chiefconservator