By Indira Aryal
Kathmandu, Apr. 25: The extended closure following the COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal dealt a severe blow to Nepal’s only zoo. Since last year, the Central Zoo has witnessed sharp decline in footfalls, and financial crisis. However, after a protracted period of trough, zoo authorities, staffs and general public collectively heaved a sigh of relief on December 2020 as the Jawalkahel-based establishment opened its doors to general public.
April 14, the day of Nepal Sambat New Year 2078 BS, was particularly significant as the Central Zoo witnessed astonishing boom in business with unprecedented influx of over 20,000 visitors.
Shortly thereafter, however, with the country recording increasing number of cases of coronavirus by the day, the number declined to 800, according to Leena Chalise, Information Officer at the Central Zoo.
“After December 2020, we had been able to maintain a steady flow of visitors that ranged anywhere between 1000 to 15,000 visitors depending on the days of the week. During weekends and holidays, the numbers were quite encouraging,” said Chalise. In the last couple of weeks though, activity inside the zoo has been sparse. According to Chalise, only 888 and 998 tickets were sold on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
While the zoo is unusually quiet, zookeepers are faced with the challenge of ensuring that life goes on as usual for the animals they care for. Unfortunately, managing expenses for maintenance, and food for animals is increasingly becoming an uphill task.
“It’s Déjà vu all over again. Things started getting worse around the same time last year,” expressed Chalise reflecting on the hardships of the 2020 lockdown and COVID-19 restrictions.
Unable to timely feed animals and cater to their needs back then, the Central Zoo had launched the ‘Adopt an Animal Programme’ on March 3, 2021. “The programme was launched to raise funds for the protection and welfare of wildlife and foster public participation,” she added.
So far, eight people have adopted animals including elephants and one-horned rhinos.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has pledged to bear all the expenses required for food, care and treatment of one one-horned rhino at his personal expense for a month while the government will cover the expenses for one year.
Similarly, Minister of Forest and Environment Prem Bahadur Ale has taken the responsibility to contribute food, care and treatment of one elephant of the Central Zoo for a year.
“As per the adoption plan, they will bear all the expenses of the animal including medical treatment throughout the year. It costs Rs. 75,000 to care for birds to Rs. 1.5 million for animals for one year,” Chalise said.
She said the programme was launched to mark 25 years of the Central Zoo's management by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). The NTNC is ecstatic over the growing enthusiasm shown by government officials, entrepreneurs and commoners to adopt and care for the animals at the zoo.
There are 34 other people on the list who have shown their interest. However, Chalise was quick to add that not everyone in the list will be able to adopt animals.
The Central Zoo used to make an income of nearly Rs. 140 million to Rs. 150 million annually from ticket sales alone before the pandemic. In the last fiscal year, their income declined to Rs. 80 million.
The annual expenditure is approximately Rs. 110 million to Rs. 120 million. The zoo was making substantial profit before the pandemic, she said.
The entry fee to the zoo is Rs. 150 for adults, Rs. 90 for children and senior citizens, Rs. 350 for citizens of South Asian countries and Rs. 750 for foreign passport holders.