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After the death of a hippopotamus at the Byculla Zoo in South Mumbai, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has decided to work hand-in-hand with the authorities to improve the condition of the caged animals in the Zoo.
"PETA along with the Zoo authorities will involve in enrichment activities for animals before the BMC-sanctioned Rs 430-crore plan is put to action," PETA's chief functionary Anuradha Sawhney told PTI here.
A five-year-old hippopotamus, Shakti died recently in the Byculla Zoo after being diagnosed with a "skin infection". After Shakti's death in April, PETA had said that the enclosures are not designed to fulfill the biological needs of the animals as it does not resemble their natural habitat following which they joined hands with zoo authorities to carry out enrichment activities.
Confirming the development, Dr Sanjay Tripathi, a Zoo Vet said, "we are working alongwith PETA since last 10 days and are working out enrichment activities for animals in the zoo."
As part of its enrichment activity, monkeys have been provided with ropes in the cages, swings, and all types of climbing apparatus similar to their natural habitat, he said.
"The basic idea behind this was to keep the animals engaged in some or the other physical activity. Along with the physical activity, we are also giving them dietary enrichment by providing sugarcane lucrene grass which would keep them healthy and fit," Sawhney said.
Also, care will be taken of birds that don't have enough nesting material and are not able to take free flight. After this, PETA intends to provide greenery kind of enclosures for Himalaya black bear, enclosure for the Emu bird and acquatic creatures.
"In the coming days we would put rubber tyres, swings, logs in the enclosures for bears, provide enclosures to Emu by providing one water pond in their grass enclosure," Sawhney said.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has chalked out a Rs 430 crore modernisation plan for the 53-acre Jijamata Udyan or the Byculla Zoo.
Here is there action plan.
EMU Enclosure:-
1. Providing one water pond (Size 8*4 ft. and 1 feet depth) in the
enclosure.
2. Enclosure should be made green with grass
3. Distribution of feed that is Lucrene grass and green vegetables at
different places (Hanging)
4. Putting Dry Coconut branches or hay and put on the roof.
5. For monsoon, Shed type structure should be made for the shelter.
Himalaya Black Bear:-
1. Greenery in the enclosure
2. Replacing and putting hanging rubber tyre in the cage.
3. Swing in between two trees.
4. Putting hay & straw for sitting and play
5. Fixing logs in the enclosure.
6. Putting honey for bear in the holes of the tree by fixing some steel
pot
Monkey Enclosure:-
1. Providing rope way in the cage
2. Providing rope swing in the cage
3. Dietary enrichment by providing Sugarcane Lucrene grass etc.
4. Wooden box with mirror
5. Providing tyres, logs, tubes etc.
Aquatic Bird Cage:-
1. Providing nesting materials.
2. Providing shelter for monsoon season. | 
