MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday suspended Deputy Superintendent of Gardens Dr MV Wani, who was in charge of the Byculla zoo, following the deaths of deer there on Monday.
Four other employees face departmental inquiries following the deaths of the animals. BMC Commissioner Johny Joseph gave their names as head animal keeper Yeshwant Tambe, animal keeper Mahendra Kadam, security guard Nhanawade and sub-engineer Sunil S Babarekar.
The BMC will investigate in detail if Dr Wani had been negligent in supervising the construction of a new enclosure for the deer. The findings will be presented in a week’s time, Joseph told media persons. He said that a preliminary probe by deputy municipal commissioner Vijay Kalam-Patil has found out that three stray dogs had entered the enclosure through a hole in its side, triggering stampede among the deer.
While 11 deer had died by Monday evening, the death toll increased by another two by late Monday — one black buck and one four-horned antelope (Chausingha). Two deer, both black bucks, were admitted to hospital.
(After the press conference, when Dr Wani was contacted by DNA, he said, “These things happen.” About his suspension, he said that he would wait for the BMC
enquiry to conclude and then decide.)
The BMC’s preliminary inquiry has found that the outer enclosure housing the deer had been removed three days ago. The inner enclosure was being rebuilt, but it was holed, which allowed stray dogs to enter. Joseph said BMC would also probe whether the contractor working on the enclosure was also to blame for the deaths of the deer.
He announced a new committee called the Jijamata Udyan Improvements Committee to suggest improvements in the living conditions of the zoo animals. It would be chaired by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Subrat Ratho and include wildlife expert Bittu Sahgal, the dean of the Bombay Veterinary College, and civic officials.
Commissioner Joseph also promised to implement suggestions to improve the zoo, which were previously given by a committee appointed by the Bombay High Court.
Following the deaths, the number of deer at the zoo is 75. The zoo houses 213 animals, 398 birds, 60 reptiles. It has 48 employees to take care of the animals, with an annual budget of Rs1 crore.
