Pioneer who taught the world how to run a zoo

The nineteenth century in India is often remembered for the tightening grip of British imperial rule.

- PATRANGA BASU

Yet, beneath the political upheaval, a wave of intellectual vigour swept across the subcontinent. Among the many Indians who left an indelible mark on global knowledge was Ram Brahma Sanyal (1851-1908). Despite lacking formal degrees in the natural sciences, Sanyal emerged as a world-renowned pioneer in zoology, transforming the Alipore Zoological Gardens into a global benchmark for animal care.Born on 15 February 1851, Ram Brahma Sanyal originally aspired to be a physician. He enrolled in the Medical College, Calcutta, but was forced to abandon his studies due to failing eyesight. However, his talent did not go unnoticed. George King, a professor of Botany and Superintendent of the Botanical Garden, recognized Sanyal’s potential and offered him a position at the newly established Zoological Gardens, Alipore.

The Alipore Zoo, spearheaded by figures like George King, Louis Schwendler and John Anderson, officially opened to the public in May 1876. Sanyal joined in January 1876 as a casual worker, assisting King in landscape gardening. His dedication yielded immediate outcome; by September, he was appointed "Head Baboo" with a modest salary of Rs 40. Within a year, his touch transformed the grounds into a lush, green sanctuary.

As the zoo’s animal population swelled - reaching over 800 specimens by 1878 - Sanyal’s responsibilities expanded. He became a self-taught polymath, performing duties that would today require a team of specialists. In veterinary care he treated sick animals with his passionate love for animals; even fed them with his own hands. He performed postmortems on dead animals, utilizing his medical school background to understand the cause of death.

Ram Brahma ensured every species was correctly identified by its scientific name, maintaining rigorous records of purchases and exchanges of animals. He meticulously collected data and recorded the health, diet, and behaviour of every animal, alongside his administrative duties.