Mumbai: The BMC on Monday told the Bombay high court that it would not exhibit penguins for the time being as the construction work of the penguin auditorium is still underway. The Bombay high court was hearing a PIL, which stated that eight penguins should be sent back to the South Korea because the Byculla zoo’s staffs are not qualified to take care of them.
Dory, one of the eight penguins that the BMC had sourced from a South Korean aquarium in July, died in October due to septicaemia. A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice G.S. Kulkarni was hearing public interest litigation filed by Advait Sethana and group of lawyer.
The petition claimed, “Keeping eight Humboldt penguins in Mumbai which is not their natural habitat would be harmful to their lives and so they should be sent back from where they are brought.”
BMC’s affidavit stated that BMC officers are taking utmost care and precaution to provide a healthy and conducive environment to Humboldt penguins and therefore there is no need to send back the penguins.
It further added, “Veer Jijamata udyan is the only zoo in India which has the facility to exhibit Humboldt penguins. The general public of India will be deprived of the opportunity of viewing these penguins if they are sent back.”
BMC added, “Professional veterinary doctors are looking after the penguins. Engineers are continuously monitoring temperature and humidity in the quarantine area. Penguins are fed frozen blast fish, which are considered most hygienic fish. Pest control is carried out on every Wednesday and quarantine area is kept clean. Fire safety drill is also being organised fortnightly.”
BMC also stated that penguin exhibit area would be approximately 1800 sq. fts, which includes nesting and accommodation area and life support system.
