The Role of Zoological Parks in Wildlife Conservation
Fauna and flora of this were abundant until
about a century ago and the man felt little necessity to artificial collection
of wild animals and plants. There was harmonious equilibrium between natural
vegetation and wildlife. Keeping of some animals in captivity dates back to
Mughal era or even before when private individuals and sportsmen maintained
some species like Cheetah and some birds of prey for their assistance in
hunting or as a symbol of social status. The regular zoo movement in India,
began in the year 1855 when the first zoo was set up in Chennai.
In the zoological parks animals enjoy
protection, fine sun-shine, fresh air and above all ample open space to play
about. They have now become repertories of threatened wildlife and a store
house of the knowledge on animals behaviour, their breeding habits, etc.
Up to the middle of 20th
century, zoo animals were exhibited in cages. Today the tendency is to provide
the animals in captivity with something akin to their natural habitat. Gone are
the days when wild animals lived in cages like convicts in prison. Now the wild
animals in zoo rather resemble estate owners. Far from desiring to escape and
regain freedom, they tend to defend the space they inhabit and to keep it safe
from intrusion. Zoological park is the Place where they are assured of food,
medical care and treatment and where they also feel safe from their natural
enemies.
In early stages, the zoological parks, were
considered as places of relaxation and enjoyment for public. Of late, however,
there has been a change in the objective and purposefulness of these parks. The
establishment of zoological parks helps in providing knowledge about different
native and exotic wild mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and flora to the public
in general and school children in particular. Since the key to wildlife
conservation lies in the education of masses and involvement of voluntary
organizations, zoological parks are very useful in spreading knowledge on the
wildlife wealth of the country. These are also important centers for organizing seminars, training and
research on the management of wildlife species and for study of their social
behaviour, breeding and ecological aspects.
Zoological parks all over the
world have been involved in the rescue of many species threatened with
extinction. Some individuals of certain species, which have vanished from their
natural homes are still surviving in the parks. Our country has made good
progress in the rehabilitation of some endangered species. The crocodile
Rehabilitation Project being run by the FAO on the request of Government of
India has done commendable work to rehabilitate crocodiles. Similarly the
Himalayan Musk deer at Kufri and extraction of musk has also been achieved. For
Brow-Antlered Deer efforts are being to
establish a second sanctuary for releasing deer bred in captivity into the
wild. Attempts have also been made for preserving other species like Blackbuk,
Sambar and Spotted Deer. Similar projects for pheasants and partridges are
under way. Conservation efforts have been made over the world by breeding
mammals and birds in parks and releasing them in free state as in case of the
Great Indian Bustard, Houbara, Bustard, Hawaiian Goose, European Bison, etc.
Thus zoological parks have eventually succeeded in savings quite a few species
and rehabilitating a few in the wild which otherwise would have been extinct by
now. The zoological parks therefore, are playing an important role in wildlife
conservation.
