Send back penguins from Byculla Zoo: Global rights body

Several activists and politicians are demanding that the seven surviving penguins be sent back to ensure their survival

Several activists and politicians are demanding that the seven surviving penguins be sent back to ensure their survival

Dory's death was a very clear warning - Byculla zoo is not prepared to handle a penguin emergency. Shortly before her death, the 1.5-year-old Humboldt penguin was left gasping for breath as authorities scrambled to borrow an oxygen tank from a hospital.

Now, an international NGO has alleged that the zoo lacks several mandatory facilities that are crucial in emergencies. The Humane Society International India has demanded that the seven surviving penguins be sent back to Seoul, from where they arrived in Mumbai in July.

The international organisation wrote to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as well as the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on November 4, alleging that the zoo had neglected to put in place emergency measures for the penguins. It was after the same NGO's complaint that the CZA recently sought an explanation from Byculla zoo over the penguin's death and the lack of proper care and housing arrangements for the birds.

Missing facilities?
Some the facilities that are allegedly missing are a refrigerator van for transportation of penguins in case of emergency and generator back-up in case of a power failure. These amenities could prove to be life-saving in case of an emergency and are mandatory under the guidelines provided by the US-based Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) - guidelines that are followed all over the world.

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"The government of India, as a party to CITES, must take cognisance of the fact that Byculla Zoo is unlikely to be able to provide suitable housing and care for the Humboldt penguins. Thus, in the interest of their survival, confiscation and return of the penguins to their natural habitat is the most humane way forward," stated the letter, adding, "We urge you to undertake immediate action to send back the remaining seven Humboldt penguins."

Endangered species
The CITES is meant to ensure that the survival of flora and fauna is not threatened by their international trade. Humboldt penguins are categorised under Appendix 1 of CITES, which means they are endangered animals faced with the threat of extinction. Accordingly, these delicate birds require special precautions during import and captivity. Since the death of the female penguin, however, several doubts have been raised over whether these conditions were met while bringing the eight penguins to Mumbai.

"Since Byculla zoo is not a member of AZA, it was CITES's responsibility to ensure that all the facilities were in place before allowing the penguins to be brought to the zoo. We had asked CITES about its audit of the penguin facilities at the zoo, but their answers were not satisfying," said NG Jaysimha, managing director of HSI-India.

"After careful consideration of the AZA manual and in light of Byculla zoo's unarguably poor animal keeping record, as well as Mumbai's climate, we verily believe that Byculla zoo may not be able to provide the seven Humboldt penguins with a high standard of living."

The big ban
Meanwhile, a few days ago, the AWBI issued an advisory to the Central Zoo Authority to ban the import of animals to Indian zoos, citing their deplorable conditions and unsuitable habitats.