Wildlife activists oppose proposal for Penguin Park at Mysuru Zoo

Argue that zoo lacks environment and expertise required to take care of such exotic species

- B K LAKSHMIKANTHA @Mysuru

FOREST Minister Eshwar B Khandre has recently instructed officials to submit a proposal for setting up a dedicated Penguin Park at the aquarium structure located between the Mysuru Zoo and Karanji Lake.

However, the proposal has drawn criticism from wildlife activists and birders, who argue that the zoo lacks the appropriate environment and expertise required to care for such exotic species.

Currently, the only zoo in India that successfully houses penguins is the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, also known as Byculla Zoo, in Mumbai. The zoo hosts Humboldt penguins in a specially designed, climate-controlled enclosure.

Notably, Mysuru Zoo was the first in the country to introduce penguins over two decades ago, but the initiative ended in failure.