Mumbai: With the BMC getting final approval for phase three of the Byculla zoo revamp, the total number of animals displayed in the zoo will now be 34. These include 17 of phase two, 15 exotic animals of phase three, one crocodile and the already exhibited Humboldt penguins.
The work for phase two of the Byculla zoo revamp project, which includes enclosures for 17 animals, was started last year. The BMC on Friday announced that the first five animal enclosures and a 3D theatre would be inaugurated in the second week of March and would be open for public viewing.
The animals under phase two include tiger, Asiatic lion, leopard, hyena, India wolf, sloth bear, swamp deer, barking deer, spotted deer, Nilgai, four-horned antelope, and black buck. Phase two also includes a small cat complex, two bird aviaries, a reptile house, Madras pond and Otter.
Dr Sanjay Tripathi, director of Byculla zoo, said, “The construction work of the enclosures and the process of bringing the animals is underway. However, around March 17, we will put the animals present in the zoo in the newly built enclosures. It will be for public display.”
However, completion of the entire project will take at least two years.
Dr Tripathi added, “Animals under phase two are native and will be brought in from other zoos in India. While, the exotic animals under phase three will be brought from foreign countries. Now, we have got the final approval and we will start procedures for bringing the animals along with construction of the enclosures.”
Till now, BMC has modernised Byculla zoo with heritage restoration work, asphalting of internal road, internal pocket gardens, selfie points etc.
