Introduction to Sakkarbaug Zoo
The Sakkarbaug Zoo, established in 1863, is one of the oldest Zoos of India. It is as old as the concept of modern Zoos in India; serving mankind for conservation, education and knowledge - based entertainment for more than 140 years now. Collections of wild animals for entertainment is a very old activity pursued by man. However, collection of wild animals for the purpose of education, ex-situ conservation, captive (conservation) breeding of endangered animals and public display in modern Zoos which started with the establishment of the Zoo at Viena in 1752 A.D., during the time of renaissance, along with the museum and natural-history museums for the storage and display of works of art, scientific specimens or other objects of cultural and scientific importance.
The legend and popular belief has it that the name sakkarbaug has originated from a garden having sweet water well.( Sakkar-sugar, Baug-garden )
Spread over about 198 Hectares of sylvan landscape in the foothills of Girnar at Junagadh, the Sakkarbaug Zoo houses more than 850[January, 2001] wild animals of 71 species. It serves to the curiosity and educational needs of more than 850,000 visitors per annum. Based on its collection, area and number of visitors, the Central Zoo Authority of India has designated the Sakkarbaug Zoo as one of the 15 large and one of the 57 important zoos out of about more than 350 animal collections in India.
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History
For a long period of about eight decades from 1867 to 1947, administration of Nawabs of Junagadh represented by the Zoological Superintendent used to manage the Sakkarbaug Zoo. After independence and merger of the Junagadh State with the Indian Union, this Zoo was managed by the Zoo Superintendent, under the supervision of the Education Department and subsequently under the supervision of the District Forest Officer, Junagadh under the Greater Bombay State. Since the time of reorganization of the present day Gujarat State in the year 1960, the Gujarat Forest Department has been Managing this zoo.
During the year 1945-46, total animal collection of this Zoo was 144 including 9 Asiatic lions, 6 African lions, 4 Tigers, 1 Leopard, 1 African Cheetah, Rattle, Otter, etc. During the year 1960-61, the animal collection of this Zoo had increased to 127 mammals, 2 crocodiles, 29 fish, and 45 birds. Mammals included 15 Asiatic Lions, 2 African Lions, 2 tigers, 4 leopards, etc. From such a beginning, the Zoo has now gained the status of a Major Zoo with total animal collection of more than 850 animals with additional responsibility of providing services for plan breeding of endangered wild animal species, wildlife health care for the Gir Sanctuary and National Park, Zoo interpretation and nature education.
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Conservation Education
The Zoo promotes conservation education with a variety of activities including Nature Education Camps, organizing special events such as observing and celebrating wildlife week, world forestry day, world environment day, involving local school children for voluntary zoo management services, etc. Local NGOs and educational institutions participate in conservation education activities with great enthusiasm and extend their full support to the Zoo while getting benefits of the Zoo to educate their students and members.
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Visitor's Co-operation
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Co-operation of visitor has been delighting the zoo for more then last 135 years. Visitors' been keen on wildlife conservation and education and education has rendered the zoo's efforts with considerable success. If this continues, the zoo is bound to flourish radically.
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Visitors' always give due respect to the captive wild denizens of the zoo & treat them as equal. We must never forget that these animals' are here, in captive condition to serve us the people. We ought to return the favor by our share of display gratitude & reverence towards them.
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Visitors are expected to feed nothing to animals, as their requirements are different. Any foodstuff fed by visitors may, how so ever be well intended, prove hazardous, let alone being beneficial.
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Both zoo animals & visitors prefer cleanly environment & visitors must co-operate towards the same. Garbage littered by careless visitors or more then 8, 50,000 every year may turn the zoo in to a garbage heap. All time, many & energy of the staff is lost on cleaning, a sheer waste.
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A more sight of rare wild animals is rewarding. Yet, one should thrive to learn more about their lite in wild conservation measures that could prove both fruitful enriching. So, learning! You might contribute valuably to save our rich & rare natural heritage.
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One should keep from teasing or disturbing animals' for their comfort.
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Sakkarbaug - a Specialist Zoo
The Sakkarbaug is a specialist Zoo as, perhaps, it is the only Zoo in the world set up expressly to interact closely and serve the interest of the Gir Protection Area. It is also a specialist in terms of captive breeding of the threatened species including the Asiatic Lion [Panthera leo persica], the Chinkara [Gazella gazella bennetii], the Four horned Antelope [Tetraceros quadricornis], and the Indian Wolf [Canis lupus pallipes] and The Indian Wild Ass [Equus hameonous khur]. Recently the Sakkarbaug Zoo has made a distinction in terms of successfully breeding the threatened Thamin or the Manipuri Deer [Cervus eldi].
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Controlled Breeding Programme of Asiatic Lions
Research inspired by the IUCN Cat Specialist group revealed that nearly all the captive lions around the world, which were thought to be Asiatic, were genetically impure. Now nearly all zoos have realised & accepted the importance of maintaining pure bloodlines. The Sakkarbaug Zoo has maintained the purity of its stock of Asiatic Lions, and over the last forty years it has bred nearly 34 Asiatic Lions currently in captivity. The Sakkarbaug Zoo maintains the Indian Regional Stud Book for the Asiatic Lion. Controlled breeding is organized so that the wild Lions, which are temporarily housed at the Zoo, are mated with the captive bred animals of the species. The Sakkarbaug Zoo captures wounded or ill Lions, nurses them back to health and returns them to their original habitat. Such wild lions are used for breeding purpose, before they are released back to their original habitat.
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Future Plans
In pursuit of the long-term goals and objectives, this Zoo plans to maintain its status of "Major and Specialist" Zoo. With additional area available to this Zoo, it aims to develop more comfortable enclosures for the animals with near natural conditions. The Zoo also plans to improve its Zoo interpretation and conservation education and amenities for the visitors.
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