Four-Day Capacity Building Programme for Zoo Keepers Concludes at Tata Steel Zoological Park
Jamshedpur, Aug 28: A four-day Capacity Building Programme for Zoo Keepers of Eastern India, sponsored by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Government of India, concluded on Thursday at the Tata Steel Zoological Park (TSZP), Jamshedpur. The programme, held from August 25 to 28, aimed at enhancing the professional skills of zoo keepers to ensure improved animal care and welfare.
The initiative brought together 34 participants from 23 zoos across Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. Over the four days, they attended lectures and technical sessions covering animal nutrition, healthcare, enclosure management, enrichment, and record-keeping. Practical demonstrations on animal husbandry practices were conducted at TSZP, while a field visit to Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary gave participants the opportunity to interact with Nitish Kumar, IFS, DFO, and gain first-hand insights into wildlife management.
Experience-sharing sessions with resource persons, veterinarians, and senior zoo officials further enriched the programme. A strong emphasis was placed on the “Five Freedoms of Animals” and the adoption of best practices for animal welfare, safety, and conservation.
The programme concluded with a valedictory ceremony at the Old NEC Hall of TSZP, where Captain Amitabh graced the occasion as Chief Guest and distributed certificates to participants. In his address, Captain Amitabh commended the dedication of the zoo keepers and underlined the importance of continuous learning and training for zoo staff to align with global standards of animal management.
Earlier, the workshop was inaugurated on August 25 at the Centre of Excellence, Jamshedpur, by S.R. Natesha, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests – Wildlife, Government of Jharkhand. The event was graced by Saba Alam Ansari, IFS, Conservator of Forests & DFO, Jamshedpur, and Captain Amitabh, Hon. Secretary, Tata Steel Zoological Society (TSZS).
In his inaugural address, Natesha highlighted the importance of training and capacity building in enhancing animal welfare standards. Captain Amitabh welcomed the participants and acknowledged the support of CZA in sponsoring the programme.
The programme received wholehearted support from the Jharkhand Forest Department, the Central Zoo Authority, and the management of Tata Steel Zoological Society. Resource persons, zoo officials, and the organising team at TSZP played a pivotal role in making the event a success.
