SGNP authorities seek individuals to adopt animals

The pandemic has significantly reduced the number of those who usually come forward to help

Authorities at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai are seeking individuals across the country to come forward and adopt the animals at the park as the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the number of those who usually come forward to help. “We started this scheme in 2013 where an individual can adopt a particular animal in captivity for one year by paying a certain amount to the park. We stick the certificate with the donor’s name in front of the cage and allow the individual to visit the animal once in 15 days,” said Vijay Barabde, Range Forest Officer (RFO), Lion Safari Park, SGNP. “This year, the number of individuals coming forward for adoption has reduced. We suspect that a reason could be the pandemic. As a result, we are now appealing to the public to come forward,” he added.