Normally a zoo excursion would signify visiting the jungle king or tigers at least. However, our very own Islamabad Marghazar Zoo is now without tigers and lions. Unsurprisingly, the absence of the big cats is a let down for visitors, both young and old, as the favourite attractions are nowhere to be seen.
“I was surprised to know that federal capital’s zoo does not have a tiger and a lion anymore. They were the highlighting factors in pulling crowds,” said a visitor, Wasif Ali. He also said that although the zoo was established almost 30 years ago, CDA has failed to upgrade and develop it.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Deputy Director Marghazar Zoo Dr Muhammad Saleem said that the zoo’s pair of lions died four years ago because they had “come of age”. The maximum age of a lion is between 18 to 20 years, he explained. The only remaining tiger, narrating reluctantly, died while he was being treated for a fracture in the leg. However, he assured that the management is doing all it can to make the zoo attractive to visitors and a new pair of lions will be brought in very soon.
Dr Saleem said that the administration had already decided to make it a National Zoo on international standards, filling it with all types of animals. “We have expanded it from 25 to 82 acres”, he said, adding that the PC-1 for the project has already been approved which will allow more cages and animals to be put in the zoo. He said the project could not be implemented for the last three years due to a financial crunch.
Due to unavailability of veterinary doctors and paramedical staff many animals in the zoo die unattended, a source said on condition of anonymity. Four crocodiles, a gift by Sindh Wild Life (SWL), have died in the past five years due to absence of healthcare. A fracture on the leg of the tiger sealed its fate as he was not given timely treatment, the source added. Following these death, not a single animal was brought to the zoo over the years, except a new pair of zebras.
The zoo, located at the foot of Daman-e-Koh, established in 1978 and spread over 25 acres, was later expanded to 82 acres. Currently the zoo has an elephant, ducks, swans, wolves, deer, monkeys, owls, peacocks and other birds which do not hold as much attraction for the visitors as lions, tigers, leopards , crocodiles, snakes and dolphins .
“I do not understand why the authorities fail to make the zoo an attractive place for the visitors. It has such a scenic view of the Margalla hills,” said another zoo-goer.
Another source told The Express Tribune that hundreds of people including staff and gardeners were deputed for the maintenance of the zoo, but the animals seemed unkempt and their cages were in a deplorable condition. The condition of the elephant cage is deteriorating and the duck pool stands empty in the blazing summer sun.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 8th, 2011.
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