srael zebras for Vizag zoo

Visakhapatnam: Impressed with the enclosure and general animal keeping, the visiting officials of Israel Nature and Parks Authority have decided to donate four zebras to Indira Gandhi Zoological Park. The zoo has been waiting for zebras for some time to increase its footfalls.

The team members Shachar Kars, head keeper of the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, Jerusalem, Roy Gilad, law enforcement officer of Israel Nature and Parks Authority and Ori Linial of INPA, accompanied the four chimpanzees that were brought here from Israel.

The INPA officials interacted with the local zoo officials and animal keepers during a workshop here on Tuesday for teaching best enrichment practices.

They exhibited video clippings on how to feed the animals instead of dumping the food in a tray to the animals.“We will recommend our government to donate four zebras as we are impressed with the environment and zoo management.

Fortunately, the zoo is located in a forest which helps all kinds of animals to adopt to the new environment,’’ said Roy Gilad.
The expert team has taken photographs of the zebra enclosures and after a proper documentation and discussions they would sign for the project with Vizag Zoo.

Impressed by our keeping the animals in the natural habitat, they wanted to give zebras (two male, two female) for now, also INPA is likely to do many projects together further,” said zoo curator B Vijay Kumar.

The Vizag Zoo is very different compared to ours in Israel, it is very good, but can be made wonderful if you add a pinch of enrichment to the animals,” said Ori Linial, the expert from INPA.

Being in a natural habitat, Ori felt that there can much more to be done to the animals. He felt animals were getting bored and would psychologically feel like being in a jail, if entertainment was not provided.

“Don’t give food in a bowl directly, but try to hide it in the bushes or under the wooden table in the enclosure, which will make the animals go round, find the treasure and then enjoy the meal.

Begin this activity first, after a few days the animal will definitely wait for another surprise the keeper has for the day,” Ori advised the animal keepers.

Sharing about his The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem, head keeper Shachar Kara says, "Our zoo is spread in 62 acres with more than 200 species. Our enclosures are different and every animal has different enrichment which will change every day.

Every keeper has a passion and love for animals which we have in our zoo. We also send our animal keepers abroad and call experts to teach them special courses for enrichment".

By:KMP Patnaik