Manipur Zoological Garden celebrates 43rd foundation day, kicks off 64th Wildlife Week
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 02 2019:
As a part of the 43rd foundation day of Manipur Zoological Garden, the 64th Wildlife Week was kicked off at Manipur Zoological garden, Iroishemba today.
Director of Manipur Zoological Garden Gaithaolu Thaimei and staff of the Manipur Zoological Garden including RFO Kh Loteshwor, Deputy Rangers Ch Binoykumar & George Yumnam and students from different schools were present at the function among others.
Speaking at the function, Gaithaolu Thaimei said that the Manipur Zoological Garden was first established on October 2, 1976.Maintaining that the total area of the zoo is 8.17 Ha, he informed that the Central Zoo Authority has declared the Manipur Zoological Garden as a medium-size zoo.
He said that, although the zoo is quite small, many rare birds and animals are being kept here.
Gaithaolu Thaimei said that out of 45 species kept in the zoo, 29 species, which have been declared endangered under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 .
As such, the area has been declared a medium size zoo in view of the endangered species kept here, he added.
Conveying that Keibul Lamjao is the true home for Sangai, he maintained that some Sangais are kept in the zoo as part of the conservation plan.
There are 14 Sangais in the zoo (7 male and 7 female).
He went on to state that around 1.5 lakh people visit the zoo in a year and narrated that Minister Shyamkumar had inaugurated the veterinary hospital and Slow Loris enclosure of the zoo on June 12 .
A tourchscreen board has been installed at the zoo where visitors can select which animals/birds they want to see and the Sangai adoption programme was taken up as well, he added.
Meanwhile, As part of the ceremony, many activities were organised including the naming ceremony of newborn zoo animals by school-children, interaction between school students and media, inauguration of electronic data capture/card swiping machine at zoo ticket counter, panel discussion with PFA Thoubal, Yenging Animal Foundation, Manipur State Museum & Manipur Zoo Officials and media, interaction of zoo visitors/students with media, extempore speech by students and interaction of zoo-keepers/animals attendants with media.