Mysore zoo gets international recognition

MYSORE: Experts advice to take better care of animals housed at the Mysore zoo will now be easy as the Mysore facility has got membership of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( WAZA).

The renowned body headquartered at Gland, Switzerland has extended membership to the Mysore Zoo allowing it to have access to experts for animal care. It is particularly important as the zoo recently faced crisis following series of deaths of animals, especially big cats.

The WAZA membership implies that it will endeavor to keep a high standard of husbandry and veterinary care and allow it to participate in coordinated species management programmes. Given its success in captive breeding, the Mysore's zoo's WAZA membership will be helpful for the zoos across the world to share knowledge with the Mysore facility.

According to the zoo executive director B P Ravi, they have received the official confirmation from the WAZA. He said the Mysore zoo has now been associated with some of the leading zoos in the world. The zoo staff will participate at the annual conferences where they will meet other members as well as renowned experts in various fields. The annual meets are hosted at different parts of the world, which will allow us to experience foreign zoos, aquariums and nature reserves, he stated.

"We have the opportunity of taking part in the development of new strategies and policies, which will have an impact on the future development of zoos and aquariums worldwide," he added. The WAZA will assist us in exhibit standards and acquisition of animals, Ravi stated.

The membership allows the Mysore zoo to access all publications of WAZA, including reputed WAZA magazines and have exclusive access to the member area of the WAZA website providing additional services.