The animal adoption programme at Alipore zoo has gained momentum after a Covid-induced lull.
Around 20 animals have been adopted since January 2021, said zoo officials. A male giraffe and Babu the chimpanzee, the park’s star attraction, are among the animals adopted this year. But the authorities are also focussing on smaller and lesser-known animals and birds.
Pangolin, fishing cat, striped hyena and iguana are some of the animals that have also been adopted this year, said officials.
The adopters get a certificate, an adoption card and complimentary zoo entry passes for themselves and up to four guests. The names of people or institutions who adopt animals are displayed on a board near the adopted animal’s enclosure.
The adopters can use photos of the animal in newspapers, magazines, websites. They can also participate in seminars organised by the zoo.
The adopters also feature on the zoo’s Facebook page and the website.
Parks and zoos in Singapore and Berlin offer dining privileges to animal adopters. The adopters can also host events at the parks.
At Alipore, the adoption rates of a lion, tiger or an elephant is Rs 2,00,000 per year. Jaguars, hippos and giraffes come at Rs 1,50,000 per year. But the price range starts at Rs 1,000 — the annual adoption price of a budgerigar, a small parakeet.
The zoo authorities are allowing adoption schemes valid for a month, where the amount is roughly a tenth of the annual sum.
“Last year, the zoo was shut for a long time because of the pandemic. There was hardly any adoption. Even this year, the zoo was shut for some time during the second wave. Considering the current situation, the number of adoptions is encouraging,” said Asis Kumar Samanta, the director of the zoo.
“We are focussing on smaller animals and birds. We have also made the adoption period flexible so that people do not feel the pinch,” he added.
Aryaa Mazumder, 24, has adopted a pangolin.
The young human resources professional opted for the animal because it “came in her budget” and she has read stuff about the “rampant trafficking” of the animal.
Pangolin is the world’s most trafficked animal with southeast Asian countries billed as the biggest consumers of its scales and meat.
“I have grown up seeing my family members feed stray dogs and cats and tend to their injuries. With my pocket money, I used to buy food for them. Now that I earn, I have adopted an animal. The pangolin is shy but cute,” said Mazumder, who has recently shifted to Rajarhat from Jadavpur.
Dyutiman Bhattacharya, a police officer, has adopted a striped hyena.
“Lore and popular culture have not been fair with hyenas. But in reality, these scavengers are an integral part of the ecosystem and biodiversity,” said Bhattacharya, a keen wildlife photographer.
The Alipore zoo authorities are reaching out to past adopters with renewal offers. “We have also reached out to many schools and nature clubs, among other organisations,” said Samanta.