Life or Something like it:
Innocence Trapped and Tormented at Alipore Zoo : Monkeys
Innocence Trapped and Tormented at Alipore Zoo : Monkeys
After independence, there was an important pronouncement about zoos in India. It was lawfully decided that there could be just two reasons for the existence and operation of any zoo viz. conservation and education. Theoretically, conservation of animals belonging to endangered species and spreading awareness about wildlife amongst people brings positive feelings towards nature management.
A survey on Alipore Zoological Gardens, however, revealed that the very rudimentary needs for any living creature to stay alive were not provided to the inmates there. The situation was a gruesome sight and a clear contradiction to the mentioned functions of a zoo. It undeniably affronted life itself and zoos to be sources of education seemed a mere hypothesis.
The most agonizing picture was witnessed amongst the monkeys. The cages were dark, dingy, dirty and smelling awfully. The floors were wet and looked slippery, as if had not been cleaned since long.
A survey on Alipore Zoological Gardens, however, revealed that the very rudimentary needs for any living creature to stay alive were not provided to the inmates there. The situation was a gruesome sight and a clear contradiction to the mentioned functions of a zoo. It undeniably affronted life itself and zoos to be sources of education seemed a mere hypothesis.
The most agonizing picture was witnessed amongst the monkeys. The cages were dark, dingy, dirty and smelling awfully. The floors were wet and looked slippery, as if had not been cleaned since long.
Photo Desc # Three monkeys kept in a dingy and dirty enclosure (part of the third monkey is seen in the extreme left). The darkness in this picture and the rest of them shows the lack of sunlight in the cages of these creatures.
Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992, mentions, “The zoo operators shall endeavor to simulate the conditions of the natural habitat of the animal in the enclosures as closely as possible.”
Where does the similarity of the natural habitat of these animals lie with where they are being forced to live? #
Photo Desc # Another view of the floor of the confinement of the same enclosure of the three monkeys.
The floor of the enclosure is wet and looked slippery. It was awfully dirty and stinky. It was tough to even stand there for the time it takes for a proper click. #
Due to constant captivity and unnatural surroundings around them, one of them had developed zoochosis, a psychological disorder. Some of them just looked lugubriously out over the crowd.
Photo Desc # This monkey is showing symptoms of zoochosis. The walls of the enclosure reflect the level of hygiene inside.#
Zoochosis: Many animals, especially the large carnivores, become deeply depressed, even psychotic, as the result of captivity. Symptoms of zoochosis include nervous pacing, head rocking, and self-mutilation. Some of these ‘stereotyped’ behaviours displayed by bored and frustrated animals have their basis in activities that occur naturally in the wild. But in the impoverished confines of captivity, these behaviours can become compulsive and unnatural.
Surprisingly, there were enclosures not open for public viewing yet holding monkeys in them.
Photo Desc # Another enclosure in which two monkeys are kept.
There are adjacent cages behind this one that are not open to public viewing yet they are holding monkeys in them. #
Photo Desc # A row of enclosures holding monkeys in them and not open for public viewing because of this gate.
What purpose are these monkeys serving by leading a life in prisons? #
Coming up soon : Alipore Zoological Gardens dying! "Birds". The state of the birds in the zoo is worse than the monkeys in many ways.
6 comments:
The state of affairs as visible in your post are really pathetic. I believe zoos are a means of entertainment and tourism- not of education and conservation..otherwise why would they be advertised as tourist destinations?? take the example of singapore zoo or torongo zoo in Sydney.. Do the tourists go there to educate themselves?? anyway at least the animals have a cleaner and better maintained prison there.. in India the zoos are just horrible
The situation is just the same in all the zoo's in India. Everyone knows but does not wanna do anything about it. Its high time we make behind this responsible for their actions......
well.. its not that everyone knows the exact extent of exploitation in zoos.. only a handful of them are actually aware of how ugly it is.. and for people to understand under which circumstances wild animals in zoos suffer, they should firstly consider them important and living beings with as much understanding (sometimes more) as us.. they feel everything that we do..
and yes.. those who are resposible must be questioned on behalf of the those who are suffering and cannot exercise the rights they are born with like we can..
saw the pics.
Why don't u write to the Central Zoo Authority, with the photographs? If they don't take action, u can even approach the court..u have photographic evidence. I'm sure any animal welfare group will support this.
I believe that we need to create an environment or rather a habitat for these animals and they can then be brought from different places and housed here rather than just capturing animals and putting them in concrete rooms.The zoos and forest reserves in Southern India are in a better state and well maintained. Mysore zoo is in a pretty decent shape. The forest authorities need to take steps to ensure that the process is being followed. On records the Government spends crores of rupees on these zoos but then again most of money is siphoned of by humans leaving the reserves and Zoos in a pretty bad shape. We need to educate our children on the importance of wildlife preservation
Your pictures speaks for itself Ambaree. These animals also have feelings and humans with their typical indifference towards animals have made life hell for them. The concept of a zoo itself is derogatory to animals where animals are exibited for human amusement. They should be released into the national parks which India has many. I guess the zoos in alipore are just a means to siphon off money by the politicians.
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