The crackdown on slaughterhouses and meat shops has forced the lions and tigers of Lucknow zoo to survive by eating chicken or mutton. Similar is the situation at Etawah Safari. They, too, are eating the white meat since March 21.
According to reports, the wild animals require 235 kilograms of buffalo meat everyday, but the supply in the past few days in only 80 kg. Lions are kept on bird-diet only till they are cubs, after that they are given buffalo meat.
A TOI report suggests that at present, there are 47 wild animals including seven tigers, four white tigers, eight lions, eight panthers, 12 wild cats, two hyena, two wolfs and two jackal, which are dependent on non-vegetarian diet. All the other animals, too, who are given mutton and chicken are also relishing the different diet and seemingly enjoying the change.
The authorities are worried because the delivery of meat to the Lucknow zoo has become a topic of concern for them ever since the ban has been imposed. Until now, a contractor from the city used to deliver the required quantity of meat, but following the crackdown on slaughterhouses and meat shops, zoo administration is now trying to fina a contractor who can supply meat from authorized sources outside the city and fulfill the demand.
Meanwhile, in Etawah Lion Safari, it has been over three days since the big cats are off buffalo meat. They are being given mutton and chicken, but that is hardly adequate for them due to low fat percentage.
“It’s a lean diet for them. The average consumption of a big cat is 8 to 10 kg of beef daily, which is missing since the past three days,” said an official reportedly.
