World Association of Zoo and Aquarium (WAZA), a global alliance, suspended the membership of Delhi’s National Zoological Park for six months, over concerns related to the welfare of the African elephant Shankar, who has been kept chained in his enclosure. through a letter to the Central Zoo Authority on Monday.
The association has now given the zoo six months’ time — till April 7, 2025 — to either relocate the male elephant, or to address all concerns related to his management and care, failing which the membership of the zoological park will be terminated.
Central Zoo Authority and Delhi Zoo Director had received a letter from WAZA, a global alliance, seeking clarification on whether the lone African elephant at the Delhi Zoo was tethered to a chain for months. Zoo authorities had denied the claims.
The CEO of WAZA had visited the zoo and had met officials of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), a statutory body of the Government of India and raised concerns about the mistreatment of animals, Sanjay Shukla, member secretary of the CZA.
In response, zoo officials said they will examine the WAZA communication thoroughly and appropriate action. The Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) said it too has taken note of the matter.
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