Spread over 240 acres, very few tourists know about the Murree Wildlife Park in Bansra Gali. Situated just below the famous Lawrence College, its two faded, rusting gates, shaped like deer, fail to make an impression on commuters travelling the new motorway to Murree. The gates are not visible to those driving down the mountain and there is no other indicator of the zoo.

Once inside the gates and ushered in by a guard, the immense potential of the facility is very apparent. A narrow winding road leads to a parking area and a children’s play area, all lined by lush trees, alive with the chirping of birds.

Visitors have to navigate through beautiful, often naturally trodden tracks to get to the large animal enclosures, making for a mini hike.

The facility has faced much neglect since its establishment in 1986 by the Punjab government. However, since its establishment, successive provincial governments seem to not have paid heed to improving the zoo’s infrastructure and adding more animals to it as it only houses a Siberian tiger, four red deer, a stag and a yak.

The only Siberian tiger, brought to the park some 12 years ago, seems weak. The zoo staff said no efforts have been made to bring a female tiger to the facility and the yak is also forced to live a solitary life.

There was a lion at the zoo many years ago, which the staff had fondly named Hamza, which was also made to live a solitary life. Though its enclosure was much bigger and more natural than those of the animals in the Islamabad zoo, the lion seemed weak and unhappy. Zoo staff do not know what became of the lion.

Similarly, in the bird aviary, there are just a few dozen peafowl and pheasants. Zoo sources said though there is no entry fee, the zoo still receives very few visitors. Those who do come, they said, end up complaining about the lack of animals and birds.

“The zoo is located in an ideal place. It is a huge facility, but it does not offer anything. There are just a few animals here,” said Arshad Zubair, who was visiting from D.G. Khan.

He said the lack of basic facilities, such as a tuck shop and drinking water, is also an inconvenience.

The zoo does not have a veterinary doctor on the premises and staff said a vet from Rawalpindi’s Lohi Bher Wildlife Park comes to treat the inmates in cases of emergencies.

The animal enclosures are expansive and full of greenery and trees, presenting a more natural environment, but they are shabby and dirty due to neglect and lack of upkeep. The facility is also short of staff and has hardly 20 employees, who perform a medley of duties round the clock, in shifts.

The children’s play area does have swings but this portion has also suffered due to neglect and upkeep.

Some construction work is ongoing in the zoo, with a few new enclosures and walking tracks being made. Zoo staff said nine new cages and a museum will be added.

The facility’s supervisor, Mohammad Imran, told Dawn more animals will be brought in after the construction work is completed.

Asked about the delay in work, which has been in progress for many years, he said the Punjab Building Department is executing the development project, which has experienced delays due to the weather. He said the work will be completed as soon as possible.

Some zoo officials told Dawn the facility was enclosed by a fence which is now broken in places and that a new fence needs to be put in.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2018