The Indian Express              05.06.2013

BMC promises to put life back in Byculla Zoo by 2015

The ambitious Rs 150-crore Byculla Zoo revamp is being put on fast track. BMC is gearing up to get the zoo ready by 2015. It will bring more than a dozen exotic animals such as jaguars, zebras and humboldt penguins from across the world by next year. The aim is to draw crowds that have deserted the zoo in the past few years.

While a revamp of walls, enclosures and other structures in the zoo has begun under phase 1 of the plan, phase 2 and 3 will inlcude relocation of exotic animals in more than 24 enclosures.

The zoo, a grade II-B heritage structure, is one of oldest in the country. Built in 1862, it was handed over to the civic body for maintenance in 1890.

The revamp will include construction of an interpretation centre to facilitate educational activities for children, a hospital, an entrance plaza and a boundary wall.

BMC is also working on a theme — Living Together — for the zoo. Civic officials said as in forests, the zoo will facilitate interdependence of mammals, birds and reptiles.

The environment in enclosures will also be enriched to keep animals busy and active and also fulfil their biological, physiological behavioural and other needs.

Officials said animals will be given wooden props to play with.