Mysore/Mysuru: The newly built Gorilla Family Housing Facility with the financial assistance under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of Rs. 5 crore from Infosys Foundation, Bengaluru, was inaugurated on Thursday at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo). The total area of this facility is 37,000 sq.ft.

This contribution goes a long way in conservation of the Gorilla, endangered Greater Ape and also in the creation of awareness about its conservation. This gives an opportunity to people of our country, especially those who can’t afford to visit other developed countries or Gorilla range countries to see Gorilla. As of now, in the entire country only Mysuru Zoo has Gorillas in its collection.

Mysuru Zoo and Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) are thankful to Sudha Murty and Infosys Foundation for the endeavour. 

Shrutee Khurana, Director, Infosys Foundation, Bengaluru, inaugurated the Gorilla Family Housing Facility by dedicating the viewing of recently imported male Western Lowland Gorilla named “Quembo” (see pic) from Frankfurt Zoo, Germany, to the Mysuru Zoo visitors.

Member-Secretary of ZAK A.K. Singh, Executive Director of Mysuru Zoo D. Mahesh Kumar, Deputy Director A.J. Roshni, officials and staff of Mysuru Zoo were present.

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Mysore/Mysuru: Shankara, the two-and-a-half-year-old male giraffe at city’s Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Mysuru Zoo, has been sent to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park popular as Hampi Zoo at Kamalapura in Hospet, Vijayanagara district on Wednesday.

Shankara, which is 13.5 ft. tall, born to Bharatha and Lakshmi on July 12, 2021, was successfully transported in a large cage mounted on a special vehicle. The giraffe began his journey at about 8 am on Wednesday (Jan. 17) and reached Kamalapura Zoo at about 6 pm after travelling about 424 kms, where he joined a female giraffe.

Shankara was accompanied by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park Executive Director Ravikumar, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Veterinary Advisor Dr. K.V. Madan, animal keepers and staff. Shankara is the sixth giraffe to be spared to other zoos. In 2018, Gowri was sent to Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru, Jaya Chamaraja was sent to Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden in Guwahati in 2019, Yaduveer was spared to Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru in 2020, Adyaveer and Balaji were sent to Singapore Zoological Gardens at Singapore in 2021 and now (2024), Shankara is spared to Hampi Zoo.

Meanwhile, Mysuru Zoo Executive Director D. Mahesh Kumar has thanked the Police Department for providing Highway Traffic regulation service and for CESC for managing overhead power cables during transportation as transportation of animals, especially tall animals like giraffe poses a great challenge.

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Says not bothered about who the Congress candidate is

Mysore/Mysuru: In yet another citizen benefit initiative, BJP MP Pratap Simmha inaugurated a Pure drinking water unit opposite the Mysuru Zoo in Ittigegud here this morning.

The people can get 2 litres of pure drinking water for Rs.2 and 20 litres for Rs.5.

Later speaking to press persons, Simmha, replying to a question, said that he is least bothered whether the Chief Minister’s son Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah or someone else from the Congress will contest against him in the forthcoming LS polls from Mysuru- Kodagu seat. Asserting that no  opposition candidate can withstand the popularity of PM Modi, Simmha reiterated that he is not at all worried about who the Congress candidate would be.

Chiding that the Congress has reached the stage where it wants its Cabinet Ministers to contest the LS polls, Simmha maintained that the  Congress Ministers were in a dilemma as they fear that would lose the LS polls if they contest.

Maintaining that there were no confusions regarding the BJP-JD(S) alliance, the MP said that he has the blessings of leaders of both the parties. Stating that it would be good if Dr.Yathindra Siddaramaiah was to contest against him, he said that then the fight would be between the son of the Chief Minister and Journalist Pratap Simmha.

Noting that  while it was veteran BJP leader L.K.Advani who launched Ratha Yatra for the cause of Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Simmha said it was BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad who waged a Court battle and later it was PM Modi who championed the cause across the country.

Pointing out that, the BJP played a major role right from Advani to Modi in the construction of Ram  Mandir, Simmha contended that the Congress had no role whatsoever in the Ayodhya movement and such, the Congress  is feeling guilty and has decided to stay away from Ram Mandir inauguration set to take place on Jan.22.

Commenting on CM Siddaramaiah’s statement that he would visit Ayodhya after Jan.22, Simmha said that the CM must go along with his associates to wash off the sins of the Congress.

Replying to a question on his meeting with former CM and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, Simmha said that he had met him to express gratitude to Kumaraswamy as he stood solidly behind his (Simmha) family in the tree felling case.

Returning back to questions on his candidature, Simmha said that though he was officially the BJP candidate, in reality, he was an all-party candidate in the two previous LS polls.  Simmha shot back at the remarks of Chikkaballapur Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar’s comments about him, by comparing Eshwar’s remarks to gutter water, on which he would not throw stones at.

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Mysore/Mysuru: The surge in tourist arrivals in Mysuru since Dec. 23 has brought joy to the hotel, hospitality and travel industry.

However, it has also created concerns for the authorities overseeing Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, commonly known as Mysuru Zoo, due to the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 JN.1 variant.

Each day, the Zoo attracts thousands of tourists, with the influx beginning as soon as the gates open. Visitors typically spend the entire day observing the animals, which raises the potential risk of disease spread among the animals, considering their heightened vulnerability.

The majority of tourists visiting Mysuru are from Kerala, where the COVID-19 JN.1 variant is currently most active. Additionally, Mysuru itself is experiencing an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases. Despite the substantial influx of visitors at the Zoo entrance gates, all individuals are subjected to thermal screening before entry.

Concerns arise among authorities due to the potential for errors during the thermal screening process and there is an increased burden on the gatekeepers and sometimes they allow the people inside without proper screening. Zoo officers recognise the need for meticulous screening becomes crucial to mitigate the risk of introducing the virus into the Zoo premises, considering the challenging circumstances.

It is noteworthy that, given the virus’s transmission through physical contact, the layout of the Zoo provides a measure of safety, with animal enclosures positioned at a distance from visitor galleries and walkways.

Precautionary measures

Animal keepers act as intermediaries between Zoo animals and tourists. Consequently, these keepers have received instructions to take precautions, including the mandatory use of high-quality masks at all times.

The Zoo staff have undergone training in safe animal handling practices, the correct utilisation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adherence to hygiene protocols. Officials have established and communicated clear guidelines for staff interactions with both animals and visitors, particularly during this period of heightened awareness.

Zoo Executive Director Mahesh Kumar stated, “We have implemented heightened hygiene practices within animal enclosures, ensured proper ventilation and minimised unnecessary contact with animals, especially those considered susceptible to the virus. Continuous monitoring of animals for any potential signs of illness remains a top priority.”

“We have taken all necessary precautions and currently, there is no need to close the Zoo for visitors, as was done during the first and second waves of COVID in 2020 and 2021. If the Government mandates closure in the event of a surge in cases, we will comply. However, such a situation has not arisen as of now,” he explained.

Visitors are required to walk over a disinfectant ‘foot dip’ at the entrance of the Zoo and the entire premises is sanitised after the Zoo closes in the evening. To ensure safety of animals, food is properly cooked and fruits are washed with chemicals and water before being fed to them, Mahesh Kumar added.

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Mysore/Mysuru: A workshop on ‘Wildlife rescue and management’ was conducted by Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo) from Dec. 18 to 20.

The workshop involved veterinarians and frontline staff of the Forest Department. It aimed to enhance the capacity and skill sets of professionals working in high-conflict areas across seven districts (Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara), including those deployed in the Leopard Task Force and Elephant Task Force.

A total of 36 participants attended the workshop, including 18 veterinary officers from Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, four private veterinarians and 14 staff members from the Elephant and Leopard Task Force. 

The workshop’s resource persons discussed the increasing cases of human-wildlife conflict in the mentioned districts, focusing on safety protocols, occupational hazards of wildlife conflict mitigation teams, tranquillising/immobilising drugs, advanced animal restraining equipment, field observation techniques and the use of digital and IT solutions in Information, Education and Communication (IEC).

Hands-on sessions covered topics such as firearm simulation and the use of advanced equipment in wildlife rescue operations.

Senior officers from the Karnataka Forest Department, including Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Wildlife Kumar Pushkar, APCCF Project Elephant/Project Tiger Saswati Mishra, APCCF & Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) A.K. Singh,  Conservator of Forests (CF), Mysuru Circle Dr. Malathi Priya, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Mysuru Division Dr. K.N. Basavaraj, DCF Wildlife Sourabh Kumar, Hunsur DCF Seema, Deputy Director, Mysuru Zoo Roshni, veterinarians, Range Forest Officers (RFOs) and Mysuru Zoo staff were present during the workshop.

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Christmas festivities, year-end vacations and school holidays have ushered in a surge of tourists to Mysuru, transforming the city into a bustling hub.

Popular attractions like the Mysore Palace and the Mysuru Zoo witnessed a steady influx of visitors, leading to long queues at ticket counters.

The overwhelming tourist flow even caused chaotic parking scenes behind the Dasara Exhibition Grounds, the usual parking place for Zoo visitors. With parking lots reaching full capacity, vehicles spilled onto residential areas, shopping malls and every available corner, prompting frustration among local residents. Following their Zoo visit, many tourists resorted to resting on stone benches along roadsides under the shade of trees.

In response to the tourist influx, the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Srirangapatna has extended its operating hours from 6 am to 5.30 pm until Jan. 2, 2024.

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Mysore/Mysuru: As part of a broader initiative to prioritise animal welfare and conservation, specific zones around the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo) and the Karanji Lake Nature Park have been officially designated as silent zones. 

This directive, issued by Mysuru City Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth, aims to mitigate stress factors, particularly excessive noise, fostering a more serene and natural environment for the resident wildlife.

Effective immediately, certain roads identified as silent zones include the stretch from M.L. Somasundaram Circle (M.G. Road) to Linganna Circle (Shalivahana Road), S. Linganna Circle to Circus Ground Junction (Lokranjan Road), Circus Ground Junction to Maharana Pratap Singh Circle (Tank Bund Road) and Maharana Pratap Singh Circle to M.L. Somasundaram Circle (M.G. Road).

Activities such as bursting of crackers, use of loudspeakers and honking have been prohibited around Zoo, with the City Police Commissioner warning of stringent action against violators.

The decision to declare silent zones was prompted by concerns raised by the Zoo Executive Director in a communication with the Police Commissioner. The roads surrounding the Zoo are frequently used by heavy vehicles, including those transporting construction machinery, contributing to noise pollution.

Silent zones, commonly established near animal enclosures, are designed to provide a tranquil space for animals to rest, sleep and engage in natural behaviours without unnecessary disturbances. This declaration is particularly significant as Mysuru Zoo falls within the category of a sensitive zone, housing over 1,000 animals and birds of various species and the adjacent Karanji Lake Nature Park serves as a seasonal roosting site for migratory birds.

Additionally, during festivals individuals often engage in activities such as bursting crackers and playing loud music through speakers, causing considerable disturbance to the animals and triggering restlessness among them.

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Mário César Martins de Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil and the Rotary International’s President-Elect for the year 2025-26, who visited Mysuru Zoo on Sunday, being greeted by former Chairman of Zoo Authority of Karnataka Rtn. L.R. Mahadevaswamy as Rotary International District 3181 District Governor Rtn. H.R. Keshav, Rotarians Chennabasavaraju, Ravishankar, Ajay Singh, Rotaractors R.K. Nikhil and Jaswanth look on.

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Mysore/Mysuru: Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo) has recorded an impressive 1.65 lakh visitors during the 10-day Dasara festivities that concluded on Tuesday (Oct. 24).

Mysuru Zoo stands as a prized gem in the heart of the city’s tourist scene, renowned for its meticulous care and thoughtfully designed enclosures. It stands as a premier attraction for city visitors and the numbers unequivocally attest to its popularity.

In the final two days of the Navarathri celebrations, particularly on the auspicious occasions of Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami, the Zoo had 28,287 and 23,890 visitors, respectively. In total, 1,65,003 tourists revelled in the Zoo.

Day-by-day visitor count from Oct. 15 to Oct. 24

On Oct. 15, the inaugural day of the festival, the Zoo welcomed 16,600 visitors, with numbers gradually increasing each day.

On Oct. 16, there were 10,145 visitors, on Oct. 17 – 8,599, on Oct. 18 – 10,603, on Oct. 19 – 11,098, on Oct. 20 – 11,280, on Oct. 21 – 16,895, on Oct.  22 – 25,180, on Oct. 23 – 28,287 and on Oct. 24 – 23,890 tourists and others 2,426.

Compared to 1,65,003 tourists in 2023, in 2022, 1,55,588 visitors saw the Zoo in 10 days with 22,909 tourists on Ayudha Puja Day and 36,013 on Vijayadashami. Though 2022 recorded the highest number of visitors on Vijayadashami (36,013) the 10-day visitors increased to 1,65,003 in 2023 from 1,55,588 tourists in 2022.

In the 2021 Dasara, the Zoo attracted 75,251 visitors. The lowest turnout was recorded in 2020, a year overshadowed by COVID-19 pandemic, with just 20,217 visitors over the ten days of Dasara.

It is worth to mention here that the Zoo had to remain closed for a significant portion of 2020 due to lockdown measures, which also resulted in a severe financial crisis, impacting entry gate ticket collections. Many donors and Ministers came forward to generously donate money for the Zoo to sustain during a crisis. 

In 2020, 3,534 visitors saw the Zoo on Ayudha Puja Day and 7,264 visitors paid a visit on Vijayadashami Day amidst a restricted atmosphere with a lot of precautionary measures to curb the spread of the contagion. Compared to 2022, this year had 9,415 extra visitors to the Zoo.

 The visitor count on Vijayadashami in 2021 exceeded that of this year, with 27,093 tourists visiting the Zoo while this year’s Vijayadashami recorded 23,890 visitors. The lowest attendance was in 2020, with a mere 7,264 visitors during Vijayadashami.

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Mysore/Mysuru: Come Dasara, the Big Top will pitch its tent in the city. This year, the popular Jumbo Circus has pitched tent at the vast ground behind Mysuru Zoo in Nazarbad to entertain the people of Mysuru and tourists for 40 days. The show will commence tomorrow.

Addressing a press meet at Patrakarthara Bhavan here this morning, the Jumbo Circus spokesperson S.V. Nagesh said that erstwhile Royal family member Pramoda Devi Wadiyar and District Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa would inaugurate the Circus show at 6.30 pm tomorrow (Oct.13), following which the first show will  begin at 7 pm.

There will be three shows every day (1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm). Entry tickets are priced at Rs.100, Rs.150, Rs.200 and Rs.300. There will be advanced booking only for Rs.300 ticket and booking may be made by calling Mob: 79911-72237 or 94967-90336, he said.

The Circus has over 260 artistes including from foreign countries such as Ethiopia. These artistes will display a variety of breathtaking acts, he said and appealed the people to visit the Circus in large numbers.

He further said that there are plans for entry of school children  at discounted ticket prices in the last 15 days of the show.

Jumbo Circus PRO Premnath was present at the press meet.

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