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Vol.2 Issue-1 A Half Yearly Newsletter of Nainital Zoo May 2008

Main Works and Activities
(From Aug. 2007 to Mar. 2008)
From the Editor's Desk
Rescued & Rehabilitated
Dear Readers,
I am sure you have gone through our earlier
newsletters of Nainital Zoo. The issue of the new
vol.2 is in your hands now, where you will have a
glimpse of the activities of the past few months of
Nainital Zoo. Apart from the usual activities
training camps for our staff and awareness program
for public was our thrust area, this year. We had also
put up a free medical camp, which was unique
event.
A photo feature of the visiting birds of Nainital
Zoo is presented in this issue too, which I hope you
all will like.
Your suggestions, contributions are very
valuable for us. It will help us improving this
Leopard newsletter. Please do send in your comments on my
A male leopard was brought to Nainital Zoo on 23 Dec official email ID or on Nainital Zoo address which
2008. It was trapped from Tarai East Forest Division. The are given on the back page.
leopard was badly injured, about 3 inch long & 1 ½ inch With best wishes.
deep wound wabes on its head and a wound was also in its
left thigh. The members of panel of veterinary officers Vivek Pandey, IFS
treated the animal immediately. It recovered after about one Director
month of continuous treatment.
Barking Deer Fawn
An orphaned male barking deer fawn was found in
Manora Range, Nainital Forest Division. It was brought to
Nainital Zoo on 14th March 2008. The fawn was about one
month old and was very weak. Zoo veterinarian looked
after it and it recuperated fast.
Indian Great Horned Owl
An Indian Great Horned owl was brought to Nainital
Zoo on 3rd Feb 2008. It was rescued from Tarai Central
Division Haldwani. Its left claws were wounded and its
general condition was not good. The owl recovered after
the treatment. Now these animals are for public viewing.
 Prophylactic Measures & Treatment The topic of debate competition was Industrialization vs
Ozone layer depletion. Later prize were distributed to the
Siberian Tiger : A male Siberian Tiger about 14 years winners of competition.
old was found limping on 20th Feb 2008. On physical
examination it was found that an extra growth of claw was
in the paw due to which the tiger was limping. The growth
was clipped with the help of bone cutter. The tiger
recuperated after the treatment.

Wildlife Week Celebration

Tibetan wolf: A transponder was successfully
implannted in a female Tibetan Wolf after tranquilizing
animal.
Awareness and Educational Program
Wildlife week started off with wildlife awareness rally.
This was taken out from Nainital flats to Nainital Zoo. 235
students from various schools and colleges of Nainital
participated in this rally. Sri S. Raju Commissioner
Kumaon flagged off the rally. Some students wore masks of
animals on their faces. Others carried posters with slogans
on wildlife conservation. At the end of the rally chief guest
Sri R.N.Jha, Conservation of Forests and other officers
along with the participants of the rally assembled at the
auditorium of the zoo, where an oath taking ceremony was
conducted for the conservation of wildlife.
Quiz competition was organized for field staff on 2nd
October. 24 employees participated in this program. On
2nd & 3rd Oct. 216 students and children were allowed free
entry in the Nainital Zoo. Special film shows on wildlife
was organized twice daily. On 4th & 5th Oct., 62 villagers
from different Van Panchayats visited Nainital Zoo and
were allowed free entry. On 6th October, Painting and
debate competitions were organised for the students of
class 9th to 12th of various colleges of Nainital. The panel
of judges were stalwarts like Sri A.N. Singh, Sri Anup Sah,
Sri Akshobh Singh for painting competition and Dr. Lalit
Tiwari, Dr. Asshih Tiwari and Dr. L.S. Lodhiyal were the
honourabel judges for the debate competition.

Ozone Layer Conservation Day

16th Sep. 2007 was celebrated as Ozone Layer
Conservation Day. Students from various colleges of
Nainital were invited to participate in speech and quiz
competitions. About 131 students from class 9th to 12th
participated from 9 schools, in these competitions. Sri S.
Raju, Commissioner Kumaon was the Chief guest. Sri S.C.
Varshney, Retd. Addl. PCCF Uttarakhand, Sri M.D.
Upadhayay Retd. CCF UP & Sri R.N. Jha, Conservator of
Forests was present as special guests.
Quiz competition was based on Ozone layer depletion
and our environment.

2 Nainital Zoo Newsletter, May 08

 7th Oct. was the concluding day of wildlife week. On
this occasion a workshop was organized on wildlife
conservation. Students of B.Sc. and M.Sc. of Forestry
Department of Kumaon University participated in the
workshop which was chaired by Sri R.N. Jha, Conservator
of Forests. This was followed by prize distribution
ceremony. Prizes were distributed amongst the several
competitors.
Other Educational Activities
1. A workshop on Enforcement of Wildlife (Protection)
Act 1972 was held at Nainital Zoo on 24th & 25th 2007.
Sri Vivek Pandey, DFO Nainital & Director Nainital
Zoo was the resource person of the workshop. He
described different sections of wildlife (protection) Act
1972, he also pointed out the short comings of the Act in
view of wildlife crime. Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
(Revised 2006) a book was distributed amongst the
participants. 117 field staff participated in the
workshop.
2. A workshop based on Bio-diversity was held on 31st
January 2008, which was organised by Nainital Zoo &
sponsored by Directorate of Environment, Haldwani.
Sri A.R. Sinha CCF Environment was the resource
person. Sri R.N. Jha, Conservator of Forests, Sri
VivekPandey, DFO Nainital & Director Nainital Zoo,
Sri C.K. Kavidayal, DFO Soil Conservation Nainital
Nainital Zoo Newsletter, May 08
also addressed the participants. Sri A.R. Sinha informed
about our rich biodiversity and means to conserve it. He
discussed its importance for human life and survival.
About 66 field staff of Nainital and Soil Conservation
Forest Divisions, were participated in the workshop.
3. A workshop on Forestry, Wildlife Conservation and
Law was organized on 14th Feb 2008. Sri Vivek Pandey
DFO Nainital Forest Division & Director Nainital Zoo
was the resource person. Forest Law, Wildlife
(Protection) Act 1972, Tree Protection Act 1980 and its
implementation/ procedures were informed during the
workshop. 104 field staff of Nainital Forest Division,
Soil Conservation Nainital, Ramnagar Forest Division
& Terai Central Div., Haldwani attended the workshp.
The books of Indian Forest Act & Wildlife (Protection)
Act 1972 were distributed amongst all participants.
4. First Aid Camp was organized on 19th Feb at Nainital
Zoo. Dr. Rajesh Sah of B.D. Pandey Hospital, Dr. K.S.
Dhami of G.B. Pant Hospital Nainital demonstrated and
described the methods to provide first aid in cases of
injury, fracture, diahhorea, vomiting, forest fire burns
and snake bite etc. Sri Vivek Pandey DFO Nainital &
Director Nainital Zoo, Sri Deep Chandra Pant, SDO
Nainital, Sri R.B. Singh SDO and 50 field staff of
Nainital participated in this camp.
5. A workshop for Veterinary Officer of Nainital District
was held on 3rd March 2008 at Nainital Zoo. Sri Vivek
Pandey DFO Nainital & Director Nainital Zoo
3
 conducted the workshop. He informed about captive
animals of Nainital Zoo their upkeep & sanitation and
also discussed about bird flu and precautions to be taken
to prevent this virus. Important discussion on curative
& prophylactic measures taken for captive animals was
held. Sri R.B. Singh SDO (M), Veterinary Officers from
Ramgarh, Bhimtal, Nainital, Haldwani, Ramnagar,
Chorgalia, Kaladhungi, Dhari, Bhilparao, Kunwarpur,
Fatehpur, Kotabag, Lalkuan, Chief Technical officer
Haldwani & representative of C.V.O. were present in the
workshop.
Two days workshop on high altitude
Himalayan Zoos cum Training Programme
for Directors, Veterinarians & Zoo staff
A two days workshop cum training program was
organised for the very first time at Nainital Zoo organized
by an overzealous & innovative team members looking
forward for some of the good practices for High Altitude
Zoos.The workshop cum training program was started on
28th January 2008 with the lighting of auspicious lamp by
Chief Conservator of Forests (Kumaon), Director Nainital
Zoo, Director Darjeeling Zoo, Director Himanchal Zoo,
Deputy Director Gangtok Zoo and Retd. Chief Consevator
of Forests from Uttar Pradesh.
In the workshop, along with the above participants, Shri
R.N. Jha, Conservator of Forests (South Kumaon), Shri
Manoj Chandran, D.F.O. Sliva Hill, Shri A.K. Tripathi,
D.F.O. Civil Soyam Almora and Director Deer park, Dr.
B.S. Jangpangi, Veterinary Officer from Nainital District,
Dr. Deepak Sharma, Veterinary Officer from Darjeeling
Zoo, Shri Kaushlendra Singh for pheasant breeding
program in Ex-Situ Conditions, Shri Harish Chandra Joshi,
Range Officer Nainital Zoo and Shri K.S. Rawat, Range
Officer from Silva Hill also participated. Some staff from
Nainital Zoo also actively participated in the Workshop.
Shri Vivek Pandey, Director Nainital Zoo & D.F.O.
Nainital formally welcomed the participants and
introduced the subject.
4 Nainital Zoo Newsletter, May 08
The first presentation was by Director of Darjeeling
Zoo. An overview of the Darjeeling Zoo was presented by
him. He very well explained the nuances of the Zoo, right
from the entry point to the ambience, its layout plan, main
display areas, capture breeding centre, residential area etc.
The fauna and floral diversity and its wilderness came
alive with the photographic presentation of the zoo. The
prized species of zoo like Red Panda and Snow Leopard
were also shown. The Director Darjeeling Zoo also
mentioned about the tourist inflow, and the new facilities
introduced for the tourists. Veterinary Care, Vandalism and
Zoo rules were also discussed. Auditorium, Library,
Interpretation Center, Record Keeping, Stud Book
maintenance, Animal History Card, Signage, Esteemed
Visitors, Zoo Memorabilia, and Outreach Programs etc
was also informed to the audience.
The next presentation was made by Dr. Deepak Sharma,
the Veterinary Officer of Padmaja Naidu Zoo, Darjeeling,
started with slides on health care and husbandry in Ex-Situ
conditions. Further, he narrated the ways of restraints,
illness screening, symptoms of a sick and a healthy animal,
reasons of ill health, investigations & diagnosis,
Postmortem reporting, Immunization, methods to reduce
zoonosis and disease control measures. Dr. Sharma
presented some interesting case studies and reports from
Darjeeling Zoo.
Dr. Sharma's presentation was followed by Dr. Madan,
Veterinary Officer & Deputy Director from Gangtok Zoo.
His presentation was on Himalayan Zoological Park,
Bulbulay, Gangtok (Sikkim). He also spoke on the
veterinary aspects of the respective Zoo. Dr. Madan K.S.
Shanker introduced his presentation with the general
information about the Gangtok Zoo, its objectives, the
present Zoo inhabits and administrative set up. He spoke on
the Conservation Breeding Program of Red Panda, Snow
Leopard (Uncia uncia), Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus
jemlahicus schaeferi), Blood Pheasant (Lthaginis
cruentus) and Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur).
The Fourth presentation was by the Director Himalayan
Nature Park Kufri (Shimla). He is also the Director of Lion
Safari at Renukaji as well as the Director of small Zoo at
 Tutikandi near Shimla. He presented a general information
about the Zoo, the zoo inmates, Conservation Breeding
Program of Himalayan Brown Bear, Musk Deer and
Himalayan Tahr, being held at Himalayan Nature Park
Kufri. He also informed about the Eco tourism society and
its on going projects like quarautine house, Interpretation
Centre, Post Mortem Room etc.
The Director Nainital Zoo presented a lecture on on
Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo, Nainital.
The Director in his presentation informed about the general
information, objectives, Administrative set up, layout Plan,
Floral and faunal diversity, free ranging faunal species,
collection plan and zoo inmates, establishment of Zoo
Management Society, Health Advisory Committee , Health
Care and daily monitoring, sanitation and upkeep. Human
Resource Development, Rescue Operations &
Rehabilitation, Record Keeping, Zoo Rules, Fee Structure,
Visitors inflow and Revenue accrued was also informed.
Publications, Outreach Programs, etc. were also discussed.
The Director Nainital Zoo also narrated some of the success
stories of rescue operations and treatment provided to
rescued animals.
The last in the series of presentations, was the
presentation made by the Veterinary Officer of Nainital
district on the veterinary aspect of Nainital Zoo. The
Veterinary Officer of Nainital informed about the treatment
imparted to cure the open deep wound of rescued leopard,
removal and treatment of nail enlargement of Siberian
Tiger and successful plaster bandage application in case of
Goral etc.
Recommendations/Suggestions
Nainital Zoo Newsletter, May 08
Introduction of Indigenous Species of Pheasants: The
Director of Himalayan Nature Park Kufri (Shimla), assured
the Director of Nainital Zoo to gift some of the Pheasants
Species provided a requisition letter is written to CWLW,
Himanchal Pradesh.
The number of rescued Leopards in Nainital Zoo had
considerably increased resulting to overcrowding of the
Zoo: The Director Shimla zoo also was facing a similar
problem. The group was of the opinion to either
construct more enclosures or follow the practices
adopted in other parts of country.
The whole group unanimously decided that the meet of
High Altitude Himalayans Zoos should be organised
annually at various High Altitude Zoos with flagging up of
more and more issues and the reports of the meet may be
sent to the ministry as well as to the concerning
Government in the States.
Next day, a trip to Nainital Zoo was organized for the
group. The group went around the Zoo and talked to Zoo
Keepers, Forest guards, Range Officer, Deputy Ranger etc.
They gave invaluable tips on animal health care & upkeep
and sanitation. The Group was highly impressed with the
kind of cleanliness and management practices adopted at
Nainital Zoo. The Veterinary Officers from Darjeeling Zoo
and Director Shimla Zoo took a sample of U.P. Agro feed
for pheasants breeding program.
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 Training Activities
1. 20 forest guard trainees from forest Guard Training
center Rampur Mandi Chakrata visited Nainital Zoo on
Oct. 25th 07.
2. 10 Forest Panchayat member from F.T.I. Haldwani
visited Nainital Zoo on 21st Nov. 2007.
3. 28 Scalers of Uttarakhand Van Vikas Nigam from
F.T.I. Haldwani visited Nainital Zoo on 24th Nov. 2007.
4. 23 Newly appointed veterinarians from Uttarakhand
administrative academy, Nainital visited Nainital Zoo on
19th Jan 2008.
5. 16 Forest Panchayat sarpanchs and members from
F.T.I. haldwani visited Nainital Zoo on 23rd Jan 2008.
6. 20 Forest guard trainees and Director from Sona
Research Centre, Haryana Visited Nainital on 26th Feb
2008.
7. 18 Forester trainees from Kalagarh wildlife centre
visiter Nainital zoo on 21st Dec. 2007.
8. 22 Trainees from eco-tourism centre Choona Khan
Ramnagar visited Nainital Zoo on 30th Jan 2008.
9. 30 students from G.I.C. Sher Ranikher visited Nainial
Zoo on 7th Feb. 2008.
10. 20 trainees from eco-tourism centre choona khan,
Ramnagar visited Nainital Zoo on 7th Feb 2007.
11. 20 trainees from Kalagarh wild life center visited
Nainital Zoo on 1st mar 2008.
Quarterly Meeting of Animal Health
Advisory Committee
Quarterly meeting of Nainital Zoo Animal Health
Advisory committee was held on 12th Oct 2007. Dr.
D.Swaroop H.D.O. & Chief Scientist medical Science
Department I.V.R.I. Izzat Nagar Bareilly, Dr. J.L.Singh,
Associate Professor Clinical Medicine, Veterinary college,
Pant Nagar, Dr, B.S.Jangpangi V.O. Nainital and Dr. L.K.
Sanwal V.O. Nainital Zoo were present in this meeting. All
members visited the Zoo and checked up the health of zoo
animals and were satisfied by zoo animals general health.
6 Nainital Zoo Newsletter, May 08
Free Medical Camp: A Medical Camp was organized
th
on 14 Dec. 2007. Total no. of 88 Zoo visitors, Zoo, Naina
& Nagarpalika Range staff were examined by Dr. Ashutosh
& Dr. D.N. Sinha or Dr. Sushil Tiwari, Truest Hospital
Haldwani. Necessary medicines were distributed among
patients free of cost provided by Forest Department.
Annual Meeting of the Management Commitee
of Bharat Ratna Pt. G.B. Pant High
Altitude Zoo Management Society
Annual meeting of the Management Committee of the
Bharat Ratna Pt G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo Management
Society was held on 16th March 2008 under chairmanship
of Sri Subrato Biswas, secretary of Forests and
Environment Uttarakhand. Sri Prakah Bhatnagar, Chief
Conservator of Forests Kumaon Zone, Nainital, Sri Vivek
pandey, DFO Nainital and Director Nainital Zoo, Dr,
B.S.Jangpangi, Veterinary Officer, Nainital Sri Dhruva
Garbyal ADM Nainital, Sri D.P.Juyal Dy. SP Naianital, Sri
Dinesh Lal Sah, President, Hotel Association of Nainital
and Sri Vinod Kumar Pandey representative of M.D.
Uttarakhand Van Vikas Nigam were present as members of
Management Committee of Nainital Zoo.
Some important decisions were taken on different issue
which are:-
1. Management committee monitored last year meeting's
minutes and its compliance report. The committee satisfied
by the progress and compliance status.
2. The committee discussed and approved the proposed
works for the financial 2007-08 and 2008-09 .
3. The committee suggested to advertise the requirement of
Veterinary officers posts in news papers.
4. The committee also suggested to prepare a project for
extension plan in north east side of Nainital Zoo.
5. The website of Nainital Zoo, in the name of
www.nainitalzoo.org.in was launched at this occasion by
Forest Secretary Uttarakhand.
 Visiting Birds of Nainital Zoo-3

Photo : Suresh Chaudhari

Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
Leopards thrive in every type of forests and are
found all over India except in higher Himalayas. In
the higher reaches Snow Leopard (panthera
unica) is found. Leopards are basically nocturnal
in nature, but they also hunt during the day if need
arises. They prey upon cattle, dogs, deer, monkeys,
small beasts of prey and rodents. Leopard should
not be confused with Cheetah which is now found
only in Africa.

Green-backed Tit

Himalayan Bulbul

Black Winged Stilt

Help Conserve Our Wild Heritage

Nainital Zoo Newsletter, May 08 7

 Infrasturctural development in Nainital Zoo

View Point Visitors Shed

Nature Shop Rain Water Harvesting

Editorial Board
Editor : Vivek Pandey, Director
Assistant Editor : H.C. Joshi, Range Officer
Photo : H.C. Joshi & K.S. Sajwan
Published by
Vivek Pandey, Director/DFO Nainital
Bharat Ratna G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo
Nainital (Uttarakhand) India
Tel : 05942-237927
e-mail : nainitalzoo@rediffmail.com
website : www.nainitalzoo.org.in
Designed & Produced by : Ibex Advertising, Dehradun/Lucknow

8 Nainital Zoo Newsletter, May 08