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Sepahijala Zoo INTRODUCTION
There has been world wide cry for conservation and protection of
Bio-diversity for the very existence of mankind as with the increasing pressure of
population Bio-diversity has been getting depleted day by day. The significant factor is the
diminishing of wild animals with great rapidity. The habitat being shrunk rapidly their
conservation has become arduous which warns to have conservation in captivity. Sepahijala
Zoo is one of such effort where in more than 46 species of wild animals have been kept for
conservation and protection. In order to ensure better conservation of Bio-diversity of
this area, Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary was constituted on 2nd February, 1987
with the area of Charilam Reserve Forest keeping the Zoo and the Botanical garden in its
buffer zone
 DONT TEASE ANIMALS
Dont ever try to tease animals or try to
feed them through the cages as this could be dangerous and fatal.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ZOO
Wildlife education and interpretation for the purpose of communicating
conservation values to the visiting public for better understanding and appreciation of
wildlife and its role in the ecosystem. Captive
breeding for the purpose of display and exchange with other
zoos and rehabilitation of endangered and threatened species.Scientific study and research
on animal behavior, nutrition, reproduction disease etc.Recreation for the purpose of
providing wholesome, healthy and educational activity to a large number of people by
utilizing the natural setting without detriment to any of the preceding objectives.
CONCEPTS AND EXHIBIT THEME:
The Zoo will have both exotic and indigenous species. All the indigenous animals will be kept
in five different sections which are as under:
1.
Carnivores section
2.
Primate section
3.
Aviary section
4.
Reptile section
5.
Ungulate section
The animals which will not come under purview of any of the above
section will be kept in miscellaneous section. Each section will occupy separate areas in
the zoo premises so that animals of different category do not feel disturbed. Gradually effort is to be taken to keep all the animals in open
mooted enclosure so as to give the animals feeling of free ranging condition.
Tripura being highly reach in primates, the primate section will have collection of all
the primates species available in Tripura like Spectacled langur , Capped langur,
Pigtailed macaque, Rhesus macaque, Slow loris. Further, there should be golden langur,
Assamese macaque, Stump tailed macaque etc.
Besides, there will be African section having animal like
Emus, Ostrich etc. and Australian
section where in animals like Zebra ,Giraffe will be displayed.
Existing Fauna:
BIRDS |
Male |
Female
|
Total |
Spotted
Dove |
2 |
3 |
5 |
Emeraid
Dove |
1 |
- |
1 |
WhiteBreastedWater
hen |
2 |
2 |
4 |
Night
heron |
1 |
- |
1 |
Pond
Heron |
1 |
2 |
3 |
White
Ibis |
3 |
3 |
6 |
Rose
Ringed Parakeet |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Rosy
Pelican |
- |
5 |
5 |
| Bittern |
1 |
- |
1 |
| Puple
Moorhan |
1 |
- |
1 |
| Phesant
Khalij |
1 |
- |
1 |
Lesser
Adjutant Stork |
1 |
- |
1 |
Black
Necked Stork |
1 |
1 |
2 |
While
Stork |
- |
2 |
2 |
While
Necked Stork |
1 |
- |
1 |
Bengal
Vulture |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Crested
Serpent Eagle |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Indian
Pied Hornbill |
3 |
2 |
5 |
Indian
pea Fowl |
1 |
- |
1 |
Red
Jungle Fowl |
1 |
1 |
2 |
TOTAL |
26 |
24 |
50 |
Animals:
Animals |
Male |
Female |
Total |
Himalayan
Black Bear |
7 |
2 |
9 |
Binturong |
3 |
4 |
7 |
Jungle
Cat |
6 |
- |
6 |
Himalayan
Palm Civet |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Indian
Elephant |
- |
1 |
1 |
Leopard |
2 |
4 |
6 |
Assamese
Macaque |
2 |
- |
2 |
Pig
Tailed Macaque |
3 |
5 |
8 |
Spectacled
Langur |
7 |
8 |
15 |
Rhinoceros |
1 |
- |
1 |
Porcupine |
1 |
2 |
3 |
Barking
Deer |
1 |
- |
1 |
Sambar |
1 |
- |
1 |
Spotted
Deer |
165 |
171 |
336 |
Lion |
6 |
5 |
11 |
Mithun |
3 |
1 |
4 |
Hoolock
Gibbon |
- |
1 |
1 |
Rhesus
Macaque |
6 |
10 |
16 |
Capped Langur |
3 |
- |
3 |
Clouded
Leopard |
4 |
3 |
7 |
Leopard
Cat |
11 |
13 |
24 |
Indian
Small Civet Cat |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Toddy
Cat |
- |
1 |
1 |
Large
Indian Civet |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Indian
Bison |
1 |
- |
1 |
Slow
Loris |
1 |
- |
1 |
| Himalayan
Palm Civet |
2 |
1 |
3 |
| Pangolin |
1 |
- |
1 |
TOTAL |
241 |
234 |
475 |
Reptiles:
Reptiles |
Male |
Female |
Total |
| Cobra |
- |
1 |
1 |
Crocodile |
2 |
- |
2 |
Flap shall turtle tortoise |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Monitor Common lizard |
2 |
1 |
3 |
| Snake
rate |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Python |
2 |
- |
2 |
TOTAL |
8 |
4 |
12 |
PROPOSAL
FOR DISPLAYING ADDITIONAL ANIMALS.
Following animals are proposed to be acquired and kept
in zoo for enrichment of its animal collection:
a.
Indigenous species:
· Different kind of non poisonous snakes
· Python
· Monitor lizard
· Turtle
· Pangolin
· Otter
· Small birds like Red Breasted Parakeet, all
type of Myna
· Squirrel
Most of the
existing animals of zoo are either very old and have exceeded their reproductive age or do
not have partner. It is thus proposed to procure animals for pairing of the
existing animals
Click here for the list of animal
Captive
Breeding Programmes:
Some of the species found in Tripura
are endangered and have very restricted in distribution in India. Helping in
relocation and population in the forests is going to be
very important function of the zoo.
To achieve this we have to take up the captive breeding Programes for some such species, which can
be rehabilitated. Therefore, to start with, Captive breeding programmes for the following
species have to be formulated.
1-
Spectacled langur (Trechypithecus phayrei)
2- Capped
Langur (Presbytis pileatus)
3- Slow loris (Nycticebus coucang)
4- Barking deer( Muntajak)
5- Binturong (Arctictis binturong)
6- Sambar
(Cervus unicolor)
 The detailed programme for captive breeding of species mentioned above should
be made with the help of Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun as they have the necessary
information base and know –how.A person specially trained in captive breeding of
endangered species in the zoos should be entrusted with the work of managing the captive
breeding programme. We have already one such person to the rank of T.F.S, Grade-II who had
received such training from abroad. In- addition, Dr. S.K. Bhowmik, In- charges Veterinary
unit was also sent to abroad for such training. We can utilize their services for the
above programmes. It is suggested that the release of these
animals should be continuous process and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tripura should be initial
target areas for such release..
There are 406 animals (as on 1.4.2002) belonging to 46 different species in the Zoo. This
zoo is proud of conducting successful captive breeding programmed for leopard cat, besides
captive breeding programme has also been found successful for leopard, binturong, spotted
deer and primates.Present concept of ensuring ex-situ conservation of wild animals in open
moated enclosure has been successfully implemented here initially with primates.
EXISTING
FACILITIES:
Veterinary:There is a small veterinary unit without having facility
for Operation theatre, Post mortem room, laboratory. Consequently, for laboratory
conformity test always zoo has to depend on Disease Investigation Laboratory, Agartala
which plays hurdle to identify the cause of death of any animals and thus precautionary
measure to check further casualty can not be taken which claims further casualty.The
Veterinary Officer, in-charge of Veterinary unit although is an experienced surgeon
trained from abroad but he is not having required assistants except one compounder and
thus during absence of the veterinary officer animals suffers. It is thus necessary to
have one more VAS who would work under the existing veterinary officer.
Water supply: There are two deep tube wells
which caters need of water requirement of the zoo. Each enclosures are having water
outlet. Besides water reservoirs are also there in between few enclosures which serve as
stock of water. The water being rich in iron content, the reservoirs / outlet gets dirty
early.
Food godown: There is a small godown where in CGM and other
food grains are stored. But the other food materials are weighed in open field and there
is no facility for cleaning the food materials which adversely effects the health of
animals. It thus warrants to have food godown
/shed with water supply arrangements for maintaining
proper hygienic condition of the food materials. However, there is a
slaughter house which ensures supply of hygienic beef.
 Enclosures
: There are both conventional type of enclosures and mooted enclosures. The animals
are found to be healthy and happy with open mooted enclosures than that of old type of
enclosures where in the animals feel congested . It is thus desired to put animals in open
mooted enclosures to the maximum possible extent.
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES:
Modification of enclosures:
Open mooted enclosures are to be constructed for the following animals:
1. Tiger
2. Leopard
3. Himalayan
Black Bear
Further, enclosures are to be made for housing the following animals:
·
Zebra
·
Giraffe
·
Hippopotamus
·
Ostrich
·
Emus
·
Poisonous snake
·
Big bird
·
Otter
·
Pangolin
Design
for the new enclosures with probable cost :
All the mooted enclosures should have brick wall all around with MS
grill in the visitor gallery. There should be adequate space in the service cage for easy
movement of the animals. Apart from providing brick wall, Chainlink mesh wire fencing should also
be provided over the brick wall at a height
of 3 mt. to avoid littering / teasing of animals. In case of the tiger enclosure, the
height of wall should not be less than 3.0 mt. Adequate step has to be taken to avoid
presence of any tree within limit of 3.0 mt. from the periphery wall. Water supply arrangement should
also be made in all the enclosures.
In case of the enclosure of birds, care should be taken to avoid  any vertical post within the enclosure
so that the bird may fly safely. Further, effort has to be made to keep trees within the
enclosures. Arrangement for nesting place is also to be made in side the enclosures with
provision for adequate water arrangement.
Probable Cost:
1.
Tiger enclosure :
Rs.40,00,000.00
2.
Leopard : Rs.
8,00,000.00
3.
Himalayan Black Bear: Rs. 7,00,000.00
4.
Zebra : Rs. 5,00.000.00
5.
Giraffe : Rs. 5,00,000.00
6.
Hippopotamus : Rs. 8,00,000.00
7.
Ostrich : Rs.
3,50,000.00
8.
Emus : Rs. 3,00,000.00
9.
Poisonous snake : Rs. 3,00,000.00
10.
Big bird : Rs.
4,00,000.00
11.
Otter : Rs. 2,00,000.00
12.
Pangolin : Rs. 2,00,000.00
Total
:Rs.90,50,000.00
Water Supply arrangement :
The existing water supply arrangement is in adequate to meet
requirement of zoo. Although there are two deep tube wells, but both the deep tube well
can not be operated simultaneously owing to existence of common outlet. It is therefore
proposed to install one more deep tube well near primate section for supplying water to
primate and aviary section only.
Requirement of fund:
Rs.5,00,000.00 including cost of pipeline.
Veterinary
facility:
The existing veterinary facility is quite inadequate to
cater need of the zoo. One Veterinary hospital as per designed duly approved by Central
Zoo Authority is to be constructed having facility for Operation theatre, laboratory etc.
Post mortem room should also be constructed in the same premises of hospital. Laboratory
should have scope for test like histopathology along with other common tests.
Requirement of
fund:
a. Hospital : Rs. 8,50,000.00
b. Equipments : Rs. 2,50,000.00
Total:
Rs.11,00,000.00
Quarantine house:
At present there is no such arrangement wherein newly arrived
animals can be kept to get the animals acclimatized with the new environment. It is thus
proposed to construct quarantine house in side the zoo having provision for keeping
herbivorous and carnivorous animals separately.
Requirement of fund:
Rs. 1,50,000.00
Sick animal
bay :
Existing facilities are quite in adequate to house the sick
animals properly. Since, in order to get recovered from illness it requires some time,
sick animal bay both for herbivorous and carnivorous animals should be constructed
separately which should come up in the same premises as that of the hospital for facility
of treatment.
Requirement of fund:
Rs. 1,50,000.00
Squeeze cage :
In order to ensure proper treatment of the sick carnivorous
animals it is proposed to provide squeeze cage attached to each enclosure where in
carnivorous animals have been kept. Number of required squeeze cage is as under :
Tiger enclosure: 1
No.
Lion : 1 No.
Leopard : 1 No.
Total
3 Nos.
Since, already one squeeze cage is there attached to enclosure of tiger,
two more are to be procured and installed.
Requirement of fund:
Rs. 1,25,000.00
Food godown :
The existing godown is not good enough to ensure receipt and
storage of food materials hygienically. Sufficiently bigger godown is to be constructed
for storing the CGM and other food grains. There should be a shed with pucca floor for weighing and
cleaning of other food materials so as to ensure hygienic condition of food materials. The
shed should be closed all around with chain link mesh or similar type of materials so as
to check entry of cattle / dogs etc.
Requirement
of fund : Rs.
2,50,000.00
Office of Director: Office
for Director is to be constructed.
Requirement of fund
:
Rs.15,50,000.00
Boundary wall :
At present the boundary of the zoo is provided with chainlink
mesh rested on bamboo post which is quite temporary in nature. Owing to existence of such
temporary protective measures, frequently strangers make entry inside the zoo and causes
damage to the assets. It is thus essential to construct boundary wall all around the zoo
to ensure safety of the zoo animals and other assets.
Requirement of
fund :
Rs. 1,10,00,000.00
Vehicle:
There is no vehicle in the zoo which plays
impediment in running day to day activities of zoo. It is essential to have one jeep/gypsy
and one van meant for carrying animal food / carcass of animals as and when required for.
Requirement of fund :
Rs. 7,50,000.00
Signage:
Existing signage’s are not adequate to convey
all required messages to the visitors. New signage is to be made for each enclosure and
displayed in front of such enclosure which
should carry information like local and scientific name of the animal, its habit,
distribution , age, life span and the type of food materials given to them, status (like
endangered, threatened , vermin etc.). Each signage should be made on RCC slab rested on
RCC pillar having height not more than 1 mt. so that the information can be read easily.
Only light color water resistant paint should be selected for the signage.
Requirement of fund:
Rs. 1,50,000.00
Visitor
facilities :
Provision has to be made for supplying drinking
water to the visitors. Toilet facilities are also to be developed.
Requirement of fund :
Rs. 1,00,000.00
Improvement of path ways:
All the path ways connecting to each enclosure should be
provided with brick soiling having width of 2 mt. for convenience of movement. The
motorable road should have black toping .
Requirement of fund :
Rs. 7,25,000.00
Captive Breeding:
1) Spectacled langur
Rs.57.5 Lakhs |
2) Capped langur
Rs.50.0 Lakhs |
3) Slow loris
Rs. 30.0 Lakhs |
4) Binturong
Rs. 40.0 Lakhs |
5)Barking Deer
Rs.
30.0 Lakhs |
6)Sambar
Rs. 30.0 Lakhs. |
Requirement of fund for captive breeding:
Rs. 2,23,50,000.00
Total requirement of fund : Rs.
4,79,50,000.00
PERSPECTIVE PLAN OVER A PERIOD OF 5 YEARS:
The improvement / modification is to be done over a period of 5
years. Break up of each financial year is given below:
| Year |
Works To Be Done |
Financial Outlay |
2001-2002
|
Construction
of enclosure of tiger, leopard,Himalayan
black bear |
Rs.55,00,000.00 |
2002-2003
|
Construction
of enclosure of Zebra, giraffe,Hippopotamus,
poisonous snake, Pangolin,Office of Director(Part), Hospital ( Part ), Installation of
deep tube well, Boundary Wall ( Part ) |
Rs.86,00,000.00 |
2002-2003 |
Vehicle, |
Rs.7,50,000.00 |
2003-2004
|
Office
of Director(Part), Hospital ( Part ), enclosure
of Ostrich, Emus, Big bird, Otter, Sick animal bay, Quarantine house. Boundary Wall ( Part
) |
Rs.91,50,000.00 |
2004-2005 |
Food
godown, Lab. Equipments, Squeeze cage |
Rs.6,25000.00
|
2005-2006 |
Signage,
improvement of path, visitor facility etc |
Rs.9,75,000.00
|
2001-2005 |
For
breeding programmes |
Rs.
2,23,50,000 |
Total:
Rs 4,79,50,000 |
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Tourism in Tripura 
