THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram Zoological Park is now the proud owner of a Malabar large-spotted civet cat, which was brought from the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, on Sunday.
Conservation of animals, which are endangered and endemic to the Western Ghats, is one of the prime objectives of the city zoo. This is in accordance to its Master Plan which has been approved by Central Zoo Authority.
The new resident was brought to the zoo after being it was found in a critical state in the forest. It had injured its paw, which was found to be mutilated beyond repair. The zoo can’t source animals from the wild unless it is found ill or injured and in such a condition that it is unable to fend for itself.
In the present situation, the critically endangered animal was found to be in such a condition that it would have been unable to fend for itself in the wild.
The paw of the animal could be sewn back by the surgeons at Pookode College. Though the animal has recovered completely, it will never be able to catch a prey. It is now sheltered in the City Zoo and has been named Arjun.
Malabar civet cats, once considered abundant in Travancore, entered IUCN Red List after its population began dwindling due to rapid destruction of its habitat. Ayurvedic physicians of the yore used to rear these animals for the musk that they secreted. This secretion was used as an ingredient in the medicines.
“Apart from the civet cat, the zoo also has two toddy cats. These animals were also brought from the Pookode College. The small Indian civet cat, as these are otherwise called, are very common,” said B Joseph, Director, Museums and Zoos.The zoo was busy during the weekend. It transferred a black buck, night heron, star tortoise, golden pheasant and a female Malabar giant squirrel to the Thrissur Zoo and brought home a pair of porcupine.
The exchange was carried out to increase species diversity at the Thrissur Zoo.
Though Thrissur Zoo at present faces a deluge of animals in certain enclosures, many cages were still lying empty. The animals transfered from Thiruvananthapuram Zoo will occupy these cages and provide diversity.
In order to tackle the population explosion of certain species, the Thrissur Zoo has initiated sterilisation process with the technical support of Centre for Wildlife Studies, Pookode.
There will be no other transfer of animals in the near future. The zoo authorities blamed the soaring mercury levels for the need to transfer animals.