Leopards, marsh crocodiles, four anacondas for Jamshedpur zoo soon

Entire zoo to be covered by CCTV for enhanced security

Tata Zoo gets advanced vet hospital for comprehensive animal care

Jamshedpur, August 16: The Central Treatment Area (CTA) of the Veterinary Hospital at Tata Steel Zoological Park, a joint initiative by the Tata Steel Zoological Society and JCAPCPL, was inaugurated today by Chanakya Chaudhary, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, along with Ujjal Chakraborty, Managing Director of JCAPCPL. The event was graced by the presence of zoo doctor Sumit and several other officials.

The newly upgraded facility is designed to meet the comprehensive treatment and surgical needs of the zoo’s animals, including provisions for conducting postmortem examinations and a mortuary for posthumous care. The hospital, which has been significantly enhanced with modern equipment, represents a major upgrade from the previous facility and is part of Tata Steel’s ongoing efforts to improve and reshape the zoo.

Comprehensive Animal Care at TSZP

The zoo is staffed with one senior and one junior veterinarian to ensure the well-being of the animals. The veterinary team vaccinates wild animals, particularly members of the cat family, against zoonotic diseases such as rabies and canine distemper. Herbivores are also vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Regular deworming and routine testing of blood, fecal matter, and urine are conducted to monitor the health of the animals. Additionally, the quality and quantity of food provided to the animals are rigorously tested in a laboratory. Annually, approximately Rs. 800,000 is spent on medicines for the wild animals.

Key Features of the New Central Treatment Area

The construction of the CTA, including an incinerator and postmortem house, began in April 2023 and was completed in approximately 16 months, with a total cost of around Rs 3.0 crore. The CTA is now one of the best veterinary hospitals in Jharkhand, featuring a Central Treatment Area, Zoo Commissary, Primates and Birds care section, Laboratory, Incinerator, and Post Mortem House.

The facility is equipped with a surgical theatre, inbuilt squeeze cages, and a kraal area, allowing the veterinary team to hold wild animals, especially carnivores, for extended periods during treatment. Diagnostic tools such as a portable X-ray machine and ultrasonographic equipment, both loaded with veterinary software, are available for accurate diagnosis. The machines provide digital results without the need for reagents or darkrooms.

An incubator has also been procured to increase the chances of hatching unattended eggs by mother birds. The CTA is among the few zoos in India equipped with an LPG or electricity-based incinerator, capable of treating 50 kg of waste per hour. The incinerator features an 80-foot chimney and uses the latest technology to minimize environmental impact.

The Postmortem House is well-equipped with a large platform, natural and artificial lighting, air conditioning, a shower and changing room, a deep freezer, and both hot and cold water supplies. The zoo hospital is also equipped with tranquilizing equipment and drugs.

Necessary statutory approvals for the X-ray machine have been obtained through the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), and further approvals for the operation of these machines are expected within the next three months.

Upcoming Developments at the Zoo

Several new enclosures are set to be completed this year, including those for butterflies, herbivores, lions, tigers, zebras, and hog deer. Additionally, the entire zoo will be covered by CCTV for enhanced security.

Animal Exchange Program

The zoo is also preparing for the exchange of animals. By the end of the month, four common leopards (2 males, 2 females) will be received from the Nagpur Zoo & Rescue Centre in exchange for eight blackbucks (4 males, 4 females) and 12 spotted deer (6 males, 6 females). Later this year, the zoo expects to receive four marsh crocodiles (2 males, 2 females) and four anacondas (2 males, 2 females) from the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in exchange for four star tortoises (2 males, 2 females).

The Tata Steel Zoological Park (TSZP) was founded in 1991 as an adjunct facility of the famous Jubilee Park at Jamshedpur. It was opened to the common public on 3^rd March 1994. This is classified as a medium category zoo by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) which is a statutory body of Government of India and it has become one of the famous zoos in Eastern India. The prime vision and mission of the zoo during the last two decades of its operation has been to safeguard and preserve wild flora & fauna and to act as a facilitator to spread the message of nature conservation through awareness and educational programs.

The zoo is continuously evolving and being restructured as per the revised master plan approved by the CZA to make it into a zoo of international standard. It began with construction of a new entry plaza and fountain area; inaugurated by Tata Steel MD and CEO TV Narendran on 7 January 2022. Thereafter new homes (enclosures) of Gharial and Mugar (crocodile) were inaugurated on 8^th January 2024.  This is the second zoo in the country where Gharial or Crocodile enclosures have the water filtration plant for water conservation. New homes of Hyena and Leopard were recently inaugurated on 5^th June 2024, on the World Environment Day.