When K T Cariyappa adopted an elephant at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens of Mysore, he never knew that he was the first Indian to adopt the elephant in the history of Indian zoos. Although the century-old Mysore Zoo started the animal/bird adoption scheme way back in October 2001, it has started bearing fruit from the last one year.
In fact, Muniswamy, the divisional commissioner in the Eighties started this scheme on an experimental basis to involve citizens and animal lovers in the conservation of captive animals. A famous tyre firm had come forward to back the scheme. However, it was subsequently scrapped thanks to lukewarm response from people. The scheme was revived by Kumar Pushkar, the executive director of the zoo. With persistent efforts, he made the programme popular.
Apart from helping people to identify themselves with a bird or an animal, the scheme has also helped the zoo. A portion of the Rs 12 lakh spent every month towards feeding the animals and birds is generated through the adoption scheme. The zoo gets a steady stream of visitors and good revenue is raised through gate collections.
The zoo authorities tried to push the adoption of big animals like elephants, lions and tigers all these years, but it failed. For many years, there were no takers for elephants because of the huge costs involved. The adoption of each elephant for one year costs around Rs 1.5 lakh because of which nobody came forward to sponsor the jumbos. Any number of pleas put on the zoo website asking animal lovers and philanthropists to adopt did not work out.
And, the floodgates opened
Recently, Cariyappa of Mysore offered a cheque for Rs 1.5 lakh to adopt an elephant in memory of his wife Ursula Cariyappa. This opened the flood gates for the adoption of many animals, which was once considered a “costly affair” by the general public. A few days earlier, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s children adopted a tiger in the name of their father for one year, by paying Rs 90,000. Subsequently, BKS Iyengar, a renowned yoga teacher, popularly known as ‘yoga guru’ not only adopted a tiger and a cub but also donated Rs 20 lakh towards an endowment fund to take care of the captive animals. This was the biggest cheque received by the zoo authorities since its inception.
The adoption cost varies from Rs 500 to Rs 1.5 lakh. It is fixed depending upon the total cost involved in feeding any animal or bird for one year.
There are people who adopt animals/birds by paying thousands of rupees but they are against publicity. The names of adopters are displayed and they would get five complimentary passes.
People who celebrate their marriage anniversary, birthdays and also in memory of their beloved ones adopt animals and birds. The adoption is for one year and it could be renewed for any number of years depending upon the interest of the people interested.
The Bank of Maharashtra has been adopting a chimpanzee for the last four years. A doctor too has been adopting a King cobra since 2002 and a textile owner of Tamil Nadu has adopted a baboon for the last five years.
There are visitors who on the spot decide to adopt any animal or bird of their choice and pay money. Subsequently, the zoo authorities send complimentary copies and also newspaper clippings to adopters wherever they are.
Recently, Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) adopted a pair of giraffe. By doing this, they will not only get good publicity, but will also be contributing for the cause of animals/birds.
Iyengar, who personally visited the zoo with his host of disciples and family members, was very happy with the way the zoo has been maintained.
He points out that those who have money should come forward to give a helping hand to the zoo by adopting the animal or bird of their choice. By doing this, they are serving the cause of animals, he added.
Yoga guru’s act of love
The yoga guru was astonished to see the well-maintained kitchen in the zoo premises. Vijayranjan Singh, executive director of the zoo told Iyengar that every single paisa given by the people is spent judiciously towards feeding the captive animals and birds. The zoo has maintained a standard dietary chart, and food is served accordingly. This dietary chart prepared by Mysore Zoo has been circulated to all other zoos across the country. The kitchen is strictly closed every Tuesdays and no animal or bird is served food on that day.
This endeavour of animal lovers and philanthropists has come as a helping hand for the zoo which has had to manage its resources to maintain the captive animals and birds without depending upon the government.
The zoo gets a sizeable income from the gate collection, sale of compost manure and parking fee.
Despite this income, still the zoo needs more money to feed large species of animals and birds housed there.