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3.1

General Policy about zoos-

3.1.1 Since zoos require a significant amount of resources in the form of land, water, energy and money, no new zoo shall be set up unless a sustained supply of resources including finance and technical support are guaranteed.

3.1.2 . Zoos shall prepare a long-term masterplan for development to ensure optimum utilisation of the land, water, energy and finance.

3.1.3 . Every Zoo shall maintain a healthy, hygienic and natural environment in the zoo, so that the visitors get an adequate opportunity to experience a natural environment.

3.1.4 . Zoos shall give priority to endangered species in their collection and breeding plans. The order of preference for selection of species shall be (in descending order) locality, region, country and other areas.

3.1.5 . Zoos shall regulate the number of animals of various species in their collection in such a way that each animal serves the objectives of the zoo. For achieving this objective, a detailed management plan of every species in the zoo shall be prepared.

3.1.6 . Every zoo shall endeavor to avoid keeping single animals of non-viable sex ratios of any species. That shall cooperate in pooling such animals into genetically, demographically and socially viable group at zoos identified for the purpose.

3.1.7 . Zoos shall avoid keeping surplus animals of prolifically breeding species and if required, appropriate population control measures shall be adopted.

3.2

Acquisition Of Animals-

3.2.1 Except for obtaining founder animals for approved breeding programme and infusion of new blood inbred groups, no zoo shall collect animals from the wild.

3.2.2 . Zoos shall not enter into any transaction involving violation of the law and provisions of international conventions on wildlife conservation.

3.2.3 . Zoos shall not enter into any transaction in respect of their surplus animals with any commercial establishment. Even the animal products should not be utilised for commercial purposes. The trophies of the animals could, however, be used for educational or scientific purposes.

3.3

Animal Housing

3.3.1 . Every animal in a zoo shall be provided housing, upkeep and health care that can ensure a quality of life and longevity to enable the zoo population sustain itself through procreation.

3.3.2 . The enclosure for all the species displayed or kept in a zoo shall be of such size that all animals get adequate space for free movement and exercise and no animal is unduly dominated or harassed by any other animal.

3.3.3 . Each animal enclosure in a zoo shall have appropriate shelters, perches, withdrawal areas, wallow, pools drinking water points and such other facilities which can provide the animals a chance to display the wide range of their natural behaviour as well as protect them from extremes of climate.

3.4

Upkeep Of Animal Collections.-

3.4.1 . Zoos shall provide diet to each species, which is similar to its feed in nature. Where for unavoidable reasons any ingredients have to be substituted, due care will be taken to ensure that the substitute fulfills the nutritional requirement of the species.

3.4.2 . For the well being of the animals, round the clock supply of portable drinking water shall be made available to all animals kept in the zoo.

3.4.3 . With the objectives of avoiding human imprinting and domestication of animals. zoos shall prevent physical handling of animals by the staff to the extent possible.

3.4.4 . Zoos shall not allow any animal to be provoked for tortured for the the purpose of extracting any performance or tricks for the benefit of the visitors or for any other reason.

3.5

Health Care-

3.5.1 . Zoos shall ensure availability of the highest standards of veterinary care to all the animals in their collection.

3.5.2 . Adequate measures shall be taken by every zoos for implementing wildlife health and quarantine rules and regulations. Appropriate vaccination programmes shall also be taken up for safeguarding against infectious diseases. Timely action to isolate infected animals from the zoo population shall be taken to avoid further spread of disease.

3.6

Research And Training

3.6.1 . The zoos shall encourage research on the biology, behaviour, nutrition and veterinary aspects of animals in their collection. They shall also endeavor for creation of expertise on zoo architecture and landscape designing, cooperation of recognised institutions already working in relevant fields in this regard shall be taken.

3.6.2 . Zoos shall endeavor for transfer of technical skills available in the field for zoo personnel. The Central Government, Central Zoo Authority and State Government shall provide due support to zoos in these efforts. Assistance of Wildlife Institute and India(WII), India Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and other institutions within India and abroad, having appropriate expertise shall be taken in this regard.

3.6.3 . Zoos shall also endeavor for dissemination of information on scientific aspects of management through publication of periodicals, journals, newsletters and special bulletins. Help of non-governmental organisation(NGOs) and government institutions shall also be availed in such efforts. The Central Zoo Authority shall provide technical and financial support to the India Zoos Directors Association(IZDA) and other institutions in this regard.

3.7

Breeding Programme For Species

3.7.1 . Before taking up breeding programmes of any species, zoos shall clearly identify the objectives for which the breeding programme is being taken up. The targeted numbers for the programme would be deciding keeping in view the identified objectives.

3.7.2 All zoos shall cooperate in successful implementation of identified breeding programmes by way of loaning, pooling or exchanging animals for the programme and help creation of socially, genetically and demographically viable group even at the cost of reducing the number of animals or number of species displayed in individual zoos.

3.7.3 . Breeding programme shall be taken up by zoos after collection of adequate data like biology, behaviour and other demographic factors affecting the programme, including the minimum number of founder and the quantum of housing facilities available.

3.7.4 . Programmes for breeding of zoos animals for re-introduction in the wild shall be taken up after getting approval of the State Government, the Central Zoo Authority and the Central Government as the case may be.

3.7.5 . Zoo shall give priority in their breeding programmes to endangered species representing the zoo-geographic zones in which they are located.

3.7.6 . For carrying out breeding programmes in a scientific and planned manner the zoo shall mark every individual animal involved in the programme in an appropriate manner and maintains appropriate records.

3.7.7 . Zoo shall take utmost precaution to prevent inbreeding. They shall avoid artificial selection of traits and make no explicit attempts to interbreed various genera, species and sub-species.

3.7.8 . Special efforts shall be made to avoid human imprinting of the stocks raised for reintroduction purposes by providing off exhibit breeding facilities.

3.8

Education And Outreach Activity

3.8.1 . Each zoo should have a well drawn-up plan for education the visitors as well as other in the community. Zoos shall keep a close liaison with other ex-situ facilities in this regard.

3.8.2 . The central theme of the zoo education programme being the linkage between the survival of various species and protection of their natural habitat, enclosures which allow the animals to display natural behaviour are crucial to zoo education. Zoo shall, therefore, display animals in such enclosures only where the animals do not suffer physiological and psychological restraint.

3.8.3 . Attractive and effective signage methods and interactive displays to explain activities of various species to visitors, published education material and audio-visual devices are proven methods for driving home the conservation's message. A formal education programme should also be persuaded for strengthening the education message.

3.8.4 . Beside signage, the zoos shall also use guided tours, talks by knowledgeable persons and audio-visual shows for effectively communicating the message for conservation to the visitors.

3.8.5 . The help of universities, colleges and non-governmental organisation shall be taken to educate the students about the benefits of supporting nature conservation programmes.

3.9

Extension Activities

3.9.1 . To provide the urban population with a window to nature and to serve as green lungs for the polluting environment, zoos shall extend their expertise and help to State Governments and local authorities to create nature parks extending over extensive areas near big cities.

3.10

Amenities To Visitors

3.10.1 Zoo shall provide basic civic amenities to the visitors like toilets, drinking water points, shelters and first-aid facilities. Ramps shall also be provided for the benefit of visitors in wheel chairs for approach to animal enclosure and other civic amenities.

3.10.2 . Zoos shall not provide any infrastructure for recreation/entertainment of visitors that is inconsistent with the stated objective of zoos.