Tripura sanctions Rs 1 cr for zoo

Agartala: Tripura government has provided an emergency aid of Rupees One Crore for immediate improvement of Sepahijala zoo at southern outskirt of Agartala, following death of four common leopards of inbred family in Feline babeisiosis – tick-borne malaria last week.
Principal Secretary, Forest Dr V K Bahuguna said here on Monday that the state government has taken a serious note after death of all common leopards in the zoo and provided fund to upgrade all cages and individual animal enclosure in the zoo. The zoo authority has already completed pest control program.
Sepahijala zoo is also facilitating four other exhibit species for breeding in the enclosure, he stated.
Sepahijala tagged as ‘Clouded Leopard National Park’, is housing as many as 535 animal specimens, belonging to 46 species including 29 endangered species. Sudden spread of Feline babeisiosis added concern to the zoo authority.
The Wildlife authority of Tripura has sent a modernisation proposal of Sepahijala zoo for next 10 years of Rs 25 Crore to Central Zoo Authority of India last year.
But the central authority has only agreed to fund only 20 per cent annually to the project. (UNI)