Due to the raging pandemic at hand, the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden in Lucknow, is facing a severe crash crunch. The zoo premises are witnessing less than 1% of visitors in contrast to its actual strength, which is why the Zoo Director has drafted an open letter on social media addressing all the animal lovers. The administration is asking everyone to support the animal adoption scheme, in order to enable the zoo to survive.
Now own a white peacock or even a tiger
This zoo currently houses 1,000 animals, belonging to 100 different species and as of now, this iconic site is left with finances that will last only three to four weeks ahead. The director even attached a list of animals which are available for adoption and the rates vary for each resident here.
If you wish to adopt a tiger or a white tiger, you’ve got to shell out ₹6.75 lakh per annum but if you are keen on taking up a leopard or a panther, it would cost you ₹1.7 lakh each. A Hoolock Gibbon will come at ₹32,500 and on the other hand, a white peacock can be adopted at merely ₹3,200. The budgerigar bird present here, will cost you just ₹200 per year.
In his letter to the masses, the Zoo Director stated, “To continue appropriate feed to animals, security and cleanliness of the campus and to maintain the greenery, flow of funds is indispensable. Due to lockdown, the zoo income has come to a standstill. At present, barely one per cent visitors of previous years are visiting the zoo. We desperately need at least a crore per month to run our zoo.”
He further added, “Being a trust, the zoo largely depends on the entrance fee. The average number of visitors per year is around 16 lakhs. However, first due to anti-CAA protests and later, because of COVID-19, there has been very less footfall this year. Unlike previous years, when around 8,000 visitors used to throng the zoo per day, we now receive about 100 visitors in a day. Since most of the food for animals is met through ticket sales, it is difficult for us to survive in these conditions.”
Knock Knock
This adoption scheme will also benefit patrons in the form of Income Tax rebate under 80G. The details of the adopters, including names and addresses, will be displayed at the enclosures. The zoo is hoping for help from the corporates because large scale firms are actively involved in CSR initiatives and the administration is even encouraging individuals to come forward for adoption.
