I HAVE visited both the Lahore Zoo and Bahawalpur Zoo and noticed that the latter lacks many facilities for both visitors and animals.

The animals are kept in cages like prisoners instead of being provided a natural environment. A nauseating odour emanates from most of the cages as they are not kept clean.

The cages of birds hardly receives any sunshine, especially during cold weather. They don’t seem to be fed properly. None of the cages has any twigs or straws so that the birds can build nests.

The aquariums don’t seem to be getting a regular supply of oxygen and food, as a consequence of which there seem to be few fish and a large number of aquariums.

Substandard food is sold in the zoo, especially in its canteen. The visitors throw rubbish, including wrappers, everywhere instead of using dustbins.

I hope the zoo management will try to improve its standard on an urgent basis.

M. Shaheer Khan

Bahwalpur

Published in Dawn February 15th , 2015

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