Pune’s Katraj zoo adds new summer facilities for visitors

To accommodate the rising footfall, the zoo has increased the working hours by half an hour; from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.

According to Dr Rajkumar V Jadhav, zoo director, the facility’s daily footfall during the summer remains steady between 4,000 and 18,000, with an increase on weekends.

Several arrangements have been introduced to help visitors amid the heat. (Express Photo)

Several arrangements have been introduced to help visitors amid the heat. A few among them are battery-operated cars to ferry visitors within the premises, drinking water facilities, toilet blocks, resting sheds and seating areas spread out evenly throughout the premises. For added convenience, the zoo also offers free Wi-Fi at key locations.

“From April to June kids have holidays. So the rush is high during this time,” said Dr Suchitra Suryavanshi Patil, Deputy Director.

The zoo also engages in educating young visitors on wildlife conservation through monthly workshops and events for children.

The zoo also engages in educating young visitors on wildlife conservation through monthly workshops and events for children. (Express Photo)

“We also hold special programmes on days such as Tiger Day, Elephant Day, Wildlife Week, etc., where we host workshops to educate the kids. In October, we host competitions of rangoli, skits, elocution, quiz, etc., where school children can participate,” Dr Patil said.

Adoption scheme, expansion plans

The Katraj zoo also offers an animal adoption scheme, allowing individuals to sponsor animals like elephants, tigers, crocodiles, etc., from a day to a year, to increase sensitisation.

Dr Jadhav mentioned that post-Covid, the zoo has observed increased visitor empathy and a rise in adoptions.

The Katraj zoo also offers an animal adoption scheme, allowing individuals to sponsor animals like elephants, tigers, crocodiles, etc., from a day to a year, to increase sensitisation. (Express Photo)

The zoo, under a 20-year master plan, are planning to set up more animal enclosures and add more animals, said Dr Jadhav. “The Hamadryas Baboon from Mysore Zoo and Mouse Deer from Guwahati Zoo are soon to be on the premises,” he added.

As part of its sustainability endeavour, the facility enforces a no-plastic policy where visitors can either opt for alternatives or pay a refundable deposit for carrying plastic items, whereby they will have to show the plastic item at the exit point.