HOW TO CHECK A ZOO

HOW TO CHECK A ZOO

1.	Here is the law in the matter
2.	What you should look for
3.	What you should do

HOW TO CHECK SCHOOLS WITH ANIMALS

Many schools have what are called "petting zoos"-animals that are kept with the ostensible purpose of acquainting children with them. Unfortunately no provision is made for the housing and care of these animals who soon die due to mishandling and neglect.

Here is the law in the matter :

Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 it is illegal for any private individual or institution to keep any wild birds or animals. A collection of such animals is perforce a zoo and every zoo needs to be registered with and have permission from the Central Zoo Authority. Therefore any school keeping such animals is committing an offence for which the penalty is a fine of Rs. 25,000 per animal and upto 5 years in jail. Schools can not keep peacocks, pigeons, parakeets, munias or any other wild bird. They also can not keep wild hares, monkeys, snakes or any other wild animal.

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 it is mandatory to provide any animal that the school may have with the following

* Housing sufficient to allow the animal a reasonable opportunity for movement and protection against the elements.

•Sufficient food and clean water.

•Regular veterinary care.

What you should look for

Condition of the animals. Do they look thin or sickly, are there signs of any injuries? - Is the enclosure large enough? What arrangements are made for summer, winter and the rain? Are there any safe hiding places where animals can retire into? - Is the area kept quiet and students instructed accordingly? - Are the animals being properly vaccinated? - Is there a veterinary doctor who visits regularly? - Is the enclosure dirty or overcrowded? - Is there a full time trained attendant for the animals? What arrangements are made during the night and school holidays? - What kind of interaction is encouraged between students and animals? What information are the children given? - What is the mortality rate? How are these animals disposed? - What are the animals fed? Do the children give them sweets, salted or fried items?

What you should do :

In case of cruelty, get in touch with :

– the Principal

– the local SPCA or an animal welfare welfare organisation

– the Police

– file a formal complaint with the Education Ministry.

Offer to give a talk in school about the way animals would be kept and cared for. ¦Suggest and initiate a School Kindness Club

In case of wild animals being illegally confined, contact :

– the Forest Deptt.

– the Police

– a local animal welfare organisation

– the media.

The animals must be confiscated and taken to the nearest zoo or, if possible, rehabilitated in the wild.

If the animals are not not wild but are badly kept, all efforts must be made to have individuals adopt them and take them out of the school.

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HOW TO CHECK SCHOOLS WITH ANIMALS
	Many schools have what are called "petting zoos"-animals that are kept with the ostensible purpose of acquainting children with them. Unfortunately no provision is made for the housing and care of these animals who soon die due to mishandling and neglect.
Here is the law in the matter :
	Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 it is illegal for any private individual or institution to keep any wild birds or animals. A collection of such animals is perforce a zoo and every zoo needs to be registered with and have permission from the Central Zoo Authority. Therefore any school keeping such animals is committing an offence for which the penalty is a fine of Rs. 25,000 per animal and upto 5 years in jail. Schools can not keep peacocks, pigeons, parakeets, munias or any other wild bird. They also can not keep wild hares, monkeys, snakes or any other wild animal. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 it is mandatory to provide any animal that the school may have with the following * Housing sufficient to allow the animal a reasonable opportunity for movement and protection against the elements. •Sufficient food and clean water. •Regular veterinary care.
What you should look for
	Condition of the animals. Do they look thin or sickly, are there signs of any injuries? - Is the enclosure large enough? What arrangements are made for summer, winter and the rain? Are there any safe hiding places where animals can retire into? - Is the area kept quiet and students instructed accordingly? - Are the animals being properly vaccinated? - Is there a veterinary doctor who visits regularly? - Is the enclosure dirty or overcrowded? - Is there a full time trained attendant for the animals? What arrangements are made during the night and school holidays? - What kind of interaction is encouraged between students and animals? What information are the children given? - What is the mortality rate? How are these animals disposed? - What are the animals fed? Do the children give them sweets, salted or fried items?
What you should do :
	In case of cruelty, get in touch with : – the Principal – the local SPCA or an animal welfare welfare organisation – the Police – file a formal complaint with the Education Ministry. Offer to give a talk in school about the way animals would be kept and cared for. ¦Suggest and initiate a School Kindness Club In case of wild animals being illegally confined, contact : – the Forest Deptt. – the Police – a local animal welfare organisation – the media. The animals must be confiscated and taken to the nearest zoo or, if possible, rehabilitated in the wild. If the animals are not not wild but are badly kept, all efforts must be made to have individuals adopt them and take them out of the school.