Tamil Nadu: The well known Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Tamil Nadu, also identified as Vandalur zoo, lastly opened for the public on Wednesday right after remaining closed for a excellent 127 days. The relaxation , that has come by the Tamil Nadu government, has also pointed out that apart from parks, wildlife sanctuaries will also be reopened in the state below strict suggestions.
According to the Indian Express, the country’s biggest zoological park attracts about 20 lakh guests every single year. It was shut on April 20, 2021 following COVID second wave. The zoo authorities are nonetheless waiting for the official order in spite of permission granted by the government to reopen the park on Monday. On Wednesday, about 9am, Vandalur zoo followed by other wildlife sanctuaries such as Guindy National Park, Kurumbatti Zoological Park and Amirthi zoo amongst other folks have been reopened for the public.
Surpriya Sahu, Principal Secretary, Environmental Change and Forest Department along with other senior officials reviewed the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and framed suggestions that need to have to be followed strictly in order to make certain security of guests, animals. Zoo director V Karunapriya has been asked to make certain the security suggestions are followed in the zoo.
The zoo saw a footfall of 1,233 on the day one of reopening, reported the Indian Express. Speaking exclusively to the IE, Dr R Kanchana, Deputy Director of Vandalur zoo, mentioned that initial days will see a thinner crowd as the zoo has remained closed for a really lengthy time. “Visitors are expected to grow eventually in the coming days”, she added.
Keep in thoughts these suggestions prior to/ right after getting into the zoo
- Every visitor will have to get their temperature checked prior to purchasing a ticket to the zoo. If everyone is identified to have symptoms for covid–like cough, colf, fever, they will not be permitted to enter the spot.
- People getting into into the premises will have to cover their faces with masks followed by frequent use of sanitizers which have been kept close to the ticket counters. It is also mentioned that not more than 7,000 people today will be permitted inside the premises every single day.
- The authorities have also been informing the guests about the dos/don’ts inside the park. Visitors are told not to spit on the ground or close to garbage locations. They have also been asked not to touch the gates. A Rs 1000 penalty would be imposed on these identified violating the norms.
- The authorities have sanitised all the battery operated autos inside the park and have also been instructed to cover their faces and put on face shields. Ticket counters, washrooms and other common locations will be sanitised in the mornings and evenings. They have also arranged soaps and sanitizers at distinct locations for public use.
- Closed enclosures like the aviary, nocturnal animal residence, aquarium and the serpentarium are however not open for the public as a component of precautionary measure. Lion and deer safaris will also stay discontinued for now.
As reported in Indian Express, the Vandalur zoo had some 53 large cats. Two out of the 15 Asiatic lions succumbed to the infection as a pandemic hit the park. The authorities could handle the spread amongst the other large cats with the assistance of stringent measures in spot. The authorities have also vaccinated all the 352 employees members to make certain improved security.