Bhubaneswar’s Nandankanan zoo revives ‘adopt-an-animal’ scheme
Context: The Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) in Bhubaneswar, which suffered a huge loss following its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has revived its innovative ‘Adopt-An-Animal’ programme to mobilise resources for animals.
- The NZP is one of the leading zoos in the country in terms of its fauna population and species diversity.
- It had received a record 32 lakh footfall three years ago.
- With resources drying up due to the closure for more than six months, the NZP authorities revived the ‘Adopt-An-Animal’ programme.
- When one adopts an animal or a bird, the contribution goes to its care, feeding, enclosure enrichment and renovation.
- The adoption scheme would bring public, corporate bodies and institutions closer to the zoo and heighten their love and passion for captive animals and birds, the authorities said.
Adoption certificate
- The zoo authorities came up with the scheme urging animal lovers to provide funds from ₹500 to ₹2.5 lakh.
- In lieu, a ‘Thank You’ in the form of an adoption certificate, a plaque in the zoo and income tax rebates are available to individuals and organisations.
- People can adopt the Asiatic lion and the Royal Bengal Tiger for ₹1 lakh per annum.
Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP)