Kohima: There is increased awareness among the public for donation of animals to the zoological park in Dimapur mainly because of the massive conservation awareness initiatives taken up through social media.
Public become active supporters of wildlife conservation in Nagaland
According to the annual administrative report of the state’s department of forest, ecology, environment & wildlife, the zoo received hundreds of different species of wild animals as donation in 2013, many of which were released in the wilderness within the park after some scientific study of their habitats.
According to the annual administrative report of the state’s department of forest, ecology, environment & wildlife, the zoo received hundreds of different species of wild animals as donation in 2013, many of which were released in the wilderness within the park after some scientific study of their habitats.
The Nagaland Zoological Park is located in Rangapahar which is an initiative for ex-situ conservation and protection of our biodiversity. Several captive wild animals among which include a number of threatened and endangered species are exhibited in the park for education, research and recreational purposes apart from serving as a centre for conservation of wildlife in the region.
The zoo also has a deer park safari where spotted deer are being kept as free ranging animals. Some of the unique species of birds and animals presently displayed are the endangered Hoolock Gibbon, Slow Loris, Forest Eagle Owl, Fish Owl and four species of Hornbill namely, Great Indian Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Rufus Neck Hornbill and Wreathed Hornbill.
The report stated that awareness creation by the department for conservation of “our” wildlife wealth has been of immense success which is reflected from the positive response of the public.
The zoo has been enriched and the animal collections diversified mainly from animal donations by the public and different organizations who have become active supporters of wildlife conservation, the report stated, adding that many rare endangered wildlife particularly species subjected to illegal trade were rescued and donated to the zoo as a means to protect them.
The number of animal acquisition through public donation from January 2013 to January 2014 stands at 121, the report stated.
