On the morning of his birthday, instead of gifts, chocolates, and cakes, Sohan Gowtham Yenneti had something else in mind. A frequent visitor to Visakhapatnam’s Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), he wanted his special day to include the animal he always stopped to admire. He ‘adopted’ a red-necked wallaby under the zoo’s animal adoption programme, adding his name to a steadily expanding list of citizens who are finding uncommon ways to support wildlife conservation.His decision reflects a growing trend at the zoo over the past year. Symbolic animal adoption, once an occasional gesture by wildlife enthusiasts, is drawing increasing participation from families, school children, corporate organisations and individuals who wish to mark birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones with a contribution that extends beyond a single day. A symbolic adoption is a charitable donation rather than physically taking an animal home.
A red-necked wallaby spotted with its joey at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
K R Deepak
The numbers reflect that change. During the last financial year, IGZP recorded 80 animal adoptions, compared with 50 during the previous year, representing a 60% increase. Families continue to account for the largest share, with 72 family adoptions, while schools, colleges and corporate organisations are also beginning to participate with greater regularity.
