Zoos across the country can now stuff and preserve trophies of animals that die in their custody, for educational or scientific purposes, according to a new clause introduced by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in its national zoo policy recently.

With this clause, any zoo in the country can directly take a decision to preserve their animals after taking due permissions from their state wildlife department, CZA scientist Brij Kishore Gupta said, “Earlier, when an animal died in any zoo, it had to be cremated or buried immediately. Many zoos having rare and endangered species often approached us with the request to preserve the animals through taxidermy. We realised that this was a good idea to keep their trophies in museums for educating visitors or in laboratories for study of anatomy.”

Agreeing that preservation of some rare animals is beneficiary, Dr M S Karavale, deputy superintendent of Byculla zoo (veterinarian) said, “Preserving animal skins and trophies would be of great help, especially for veterinary students. This clarity in the policy will have great advantages for veterinary colleges. Endangered animals can be preserved to educate visitors.”

Recently, a panther, which was euthanised in the Bycylla zoo, was sent to the Bombay Veterinary College Parel for preservation, Karavale said. “The panther is being used by the college doctors now,” he said.

B Majumder, chief wildlife warden of Maharashtra, added, “When certain animals become extinct in future, we will at least have their stuffed trophies to show to our children.” He cited the example of the Great Indian Bustard, a bird that is fast disappearing from the country.

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