Vandalur zoo plans socialisation

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Authorities of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park are attempting socialisation of wild animals after training the animals at the zoo.

Animals such as white tiger, Bengal tiger, leopard, hippopotamus, bear and chimpanzees are to be released into separate enclosures as groups, under the plan.

Now most of them are isolated or separated within their enclosures and people may not be able to watch the animals as a group.

The move will be implemented in a phased manner after a study of the behaviour of animals and will be a visual delight for the visitors, zoo sources said.

Zoo director and chief conservator of forests K.S.V.P.P. Reddy said that Vandalur zoo would be the first zoo in the country to adopt such a socialising plan for the captive animals.

Usually, animals in the wild maintain territories and would have aggressive behaviour towards counterparts. However, in zoos, the animals would be less aggressive as they are in captivity.

The plan aims to capitalise on this. Three to four tigers can be put in one enclosure if they learn to live as a group. A group of leopards or hippopotamus can also be put in one enclosure, the official said.

“We tried putting the animals together based on their species. After studying their behaviour for three months they have been put together,” Reddy said.