Wildlife: 33 animals to be procured for zoo, Safari Park

LAHORE:

The government has decided to procure 33 more animals and birds for Lahore Zoo and Lahore Safari Park. According to the initial estimate by the procurement committee, the animals will be procured for Rs115 million.

The chief minister has recently constituted a committee to improve facilities at city’s zoological gardens.

Forests and Wildlife Minister Malik Muhammad Asif and Zakat and Ushr Minister Malik Nadeem Kamran told a meeting at Lahore Zoo on Monday that after evaluating proposals regarding the procurement, the committee would send a summary to the chief minister for his approval.

They said the purchases would help the zoo pair up several animals and birds. They said the government planned to spend around Rs66million on procuring 21 animals for the pairing and Rs44.8 million on purchasing 12 new species.

They directed the officials concerned to submit a proposal with regard to improving facilities at the zoo and enhancing its income. Wildlife Director General Khalid Ayaz Khan said talks with private sector had concluded to establish a drive-in zoo over 85 kanals at Jallo Forest Park.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2016.