Mumbai News: Byculla Zoo To Again Host Blackbucks After 6 Years

Mumbai: The Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo, commonly known as the Byculla Zoo, welcomed a new pair of Blackbucks from the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune on April 3.

However, the animals have not yet been seen by the public. According to a statement from a BMC official, "They have been in quarantine since then. It is part of our routine procedure to allow them to adjust to the new environment and for us to ensure they are free of diseases. Once the doctors give a go-ahead, we will open them for public viewing", as reported by Hindustan Times.

In the year 2023-24, the Byculla zoo witnessed approximately 29 lakh visitors and also generated revenue around Rs. 11.5 crore. The Byculla Zoo, built in 1861 as a botanical garden in Mumbai, is home to around 335 animals, including birds, reptiles, monkeys, crocodiles, an elephant, deer, a hippopotamus and penguins.

Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the blackbuck is classified as a Schedule I protected species. Typically, a herd of blackbucks consists of 10 to 30 animals, and they belong to the antelope family. A few years ago, the zoo housed over 40 blackbucks. However, many of these animals passed away due to old age, and no new pairs were introduced as the zoo underwent renovations. At present, the zoo does not have any blackbucks.

Byculla Zoo's 10-Acre Expansion Back

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) ambitious project to expand the Byculla Zoo, also known as Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo, onto a 10-acre adjacent plot has faced setbacks in recent years due to alleged irregularities in the tendering process for exotic animal enclosures.

In response, the civic body is adopting a new approach by appointing a consultant to prepare the design and cost estimate for the animal enclosures. The tendering process for this project is expected to begin in the next one and a half months, signaling a renewed effort to move the long-delayed initiative forward.

The zoo currently covers approximately 53 acres, and there are plans to expand by an additional 10 acres, seven acres from the Mafatlal Compound and the remaining area from the Poddar region. However, the BMC's development plans for exhibits for various animal species have been mired in controversy, with accusations of cartelization and irregularities in the tendering process.

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