THE RECOGNITION OF ZOO RULES, 1992

APPENDLX A.- FORM A

APPENDIX Minimum Prescribed Size for Feeding-Retiring Cubicle/Enclosures for Important Mammalian Species of Captive Animals

THE RECOGNITION OF ZOO RULES, 1992

G.S.R. 711 (E), dated 4th August, 1992¹. -In exercise of the powers conferred by Cls. (f) and (g) of sub-section (1) of Sec. 63 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:

1. Published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary. Pt. II, Sec. 3 (i), dated 4th August, 1992

1. Short title and commencement.-

(l) These rules may be called the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions.-In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) “Act” means the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972) ;

(b) “Enclosure” means any accommodation provided for zoo animals;

within an enclosure;

(d) “Endangered species” means species included in Sch. I of the Act;

(e) “Form” means a form set forth in Appendix A to these rules;

(f) “Performing purposes” means any effort to force the animal to carry out unnatural act including performance of circus tricks;

(g) “Stand-of barrier” means a physical barrier setback from the outer edge

of an enclosure barrier;

(h) “Zoo operator” means the person who has ultimate control over the affairs of the Zoo provided that-

(i) In the case of a firm or other association of individuals, any one of the individual partners or members thereof shall be deemed to be the Zoo operator;

(ii) In the case of a company, any director, manager, secretary or other officer, who is in charge of and responsible to the company for the affairs of the zoo shall be deemed to be the Zoo operator;

(iii) In the case of a zoo owned or controlled by the Central Government or any State Government, or any local authority, the person or persons appointed to manage the affairs of the zoo by the Central Government, the State Government or the local authority, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the Zoo operator.

3. Application for recognition.-An application under Sec.38-H of the Act for recognition of a zoo shall be made to the -Central Zoo Authority in Form A.

4. Fees for application.-

(a) There shall be paid in respect of every application under rule 3 a fee of rupees five hundred.

(b) The amount of the fee shall be paid through Demand Draft/PostalOrder(s) in favour of the Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.

5. Documents to be filed alongwith the application and particulars it should contain.-Every application shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee and shall contain clear particulars as to the matters specified in Form A.

6. Power to make inquiries and call for information.-Before granting recognition to a zoo under Sec.38,H of the Act, the Central Authority may make such inquires and require such further information to be furnished, as it deems necessary, relating to the information furnished by the zoo in its application in Form A.

7. Form of recognition.-The recognition granted to a zoo shall be subject to the following conditions, namely:

(a) That the recognition unless granted on a permanent basis, shall be for such period not less than one year as may be specified in the recognition;

(b) That the zoo shall comply with such standards and norms as are or may be prescribed or imposed under the provisions of the Act and these rules from time to time.

8. Renewal of recoginition.-

(a) Three months before the expiry of the period of recognition, a recognised zoo desirous of renewal of such recognition may make an application to the Central Zoo Authority in Form A.

(b) The provisions of rule 3, rule 4, rule 5, rule 6 and rule 7 shall apply in relation to renewal of recognition as they apply in relation of grant of recognition except that, the fee payable in respect of an application for renewal of recognition shall be rupees two hundred.

9. Classification of Zoos.-For the purposes of deciding standards and norms for recognition of zoos, and monitoring and evaluating their performance the zoos,on the basis of the area, number of animals and their variety exhibited, and the number of visitors, shall be classified into four categories as specified below:-

Category of Zoo	Large	Medium	Small	Mini
Area of the zoo in hectares	More than 75 hectare	50-75 hectare	20-25 hectare	Less than 20 hectare
Number of animals exhibited	More than750	500-750	200-499	200
-Animal variety exhibited	More than 75 numbers	50-75 numbers	20-49 number	20 numbers
Number of endangered species exhibited	More than15	10-15	5-9	Less than,
Annual Attendance of visitor per year	More than 7.5 lakhs	5-7.5 lakhs	2-5 lakhs	Less than 200 lakhs

10. Standards and norms subject to which recognition under Sec.38-H of the Act shall be granted.-The Central 2oo Authority shall grant recognition with due regard to the interests of protection and conservation of wild life, and such standards, norms and other matters as are specified below

GENERAL

(1) The primary objective of operating any zoo shall be the conservation of wildlife and no zoo shall take up any activity that is inconsistent with this objective.

(2) No zoo shall acquire any animal in violation of the Act or rules made thereunder.

(3) No zoo shall allow any animal to be subjected to the cruelties as defined

under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960) or permit any activity that exposes the animals to unnecessary pain, stress or provocation, including use of animals for performing purposes.

(4) No zoo shall use any animal, other than the elephants in plains and yalk in hilly areas for riding purposes or draughting any vehicle.

(5) No zoo shall keep any animal chained or teethered unless doing so is essential for its own well-being.

(6) No zoo shall exhibit any animal that is seriously sick, injured or infirm.

(7) Each zoo shall be closed to visitors at least once a week.

(8) Each zoo shall be encompassed by a perimeter wall with at least two

metres height from the ground level. The existing zoos in the nature of safaries and deer parks will continue to have chain link fence of appropriate design and dimensions.

(9) The zoo operators shall provide a clean and healthy environment in the zoo by planting trees, creating green belts and providing lawns and flower bed etc.

(10) The built-up area in any zoo shall not exceed twenty-five per cent. of the total area of the zoo. The built-up area includes administrative buildings, stores, hospitals, restaurants, kiosks and visitor rest sheds, etc., animals houses and pucca roads.

(11) No zoo shall have the residential complexes for the staff within the main campus of the zoo. Such complex, if any, shall be separated from the main campus of the zoo by a boundary wall with a minimum height of two metre from the ground level.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND STAFFING PATTERN

(12) Every zoo shall have one full-time officer in-charge of the zoo. The said officer shall be delegated adequate administrative and financial powers as may be necessary for proper upkeep and care of zoo animals.

(13) Every large and medium zoo shall have at least one full-time curator

having the sole responsibility of looking after the upkeep of animals and

maintenance of animals enclosures.

(14) Each large zoo shall have at least two full-time veterinarians and medium

and small zoo small have at least one full-time veterinarian. The mini zoo may at least have arrangement with any outside veterinarian for visiting the zoo every day to look after the animals.

ANIMAL ENCLOSURES-DESIGN, DIMENSIONS AND

OTHER ESSENTIAL FEATURES

(15) All animal enclosures in a zoo shall be so designed as to fully ensure the safety of animals, caretakers and the visitors, Stand of barriers and adequate warning signs shall be proved for keeping the visitors at a safe distance from the animals.

(16) All animal enclosures in a zoo shall be so designed as to meet the fun biological requirements of the animals housed therein. The enclosures shall be, such size as to ensure that the animals get space for their free movement and exercise and the animals within herds and groups are not unduly dominated by individuals the zoo operators shall take adequate safeguards to avoid the animals being

unnaturally provoked for the benefit of viewing by public and excessive stress being caused by visibility of the animals in the adjoining enclosures.

(17) The zoo operators shall endeavour to stimulate the conditions of the natural habitat of the animal in the enclosures as closely as possible. Planting of appropriate species of trees for providing shades and constructing shelters which would merge in the overall environment of the enclosures, shall also be provided. Wherever it is technically feasible, only moats shall be provided as enclosure barriers.

(18) The enclosures housing the endangered mammalian species, mentioned in Appendix I to these rules, shall have feeding and retiring cubicles/cell of minimum dimensions given in the said appendix. Each cubicle/cell shall have resting, feeding, drinking water and exercising facilities, according to the biological needs of the species. Separate accommodation shall be provided for pregnant animals. Proper ventilation and arrangements for removal of excreta and residual water be provided in each cell/cubicle/enclosure.

(19) Proper arrangements of drainage of excess of water and arrangements for removal of excreta and residual water from each cell/cubicle/enclosure shall be made.

(20) Designing of any new enclosure for endangered species shall be finalized in consultation with the Central Zoo Authority.

HYGIENE, FEEDING AND UPKEEP

(21) Every zoo shall ensure timely supply of wholesome and unadulterated food in sufficient quantity to each animal according to the requirement of the individual animal, so that no animal remains under nourished.

(22) Every zoo shall provide for a proper waste disposal system for treating both the solid and liquid wastes generated in the zoos.

(23) All left over food item, animal excreta and rubbish shall be removed from each enclosure regularly and disposed of in a manner congenial to the general cleanliness of the zoo.

(24) The zoo operators shall make available round the clock supply of potable water for drinking purposes in each cell/enclosure/cubicle.

(25) Periodic application of disinfectants in each enclosure shall be made according to the directions of the authorized veterinary officer of the zoo.

ANIMAL CARE, HEALTH AND TREATMENT

(26) The animals shall be handled only by the staff having experience and training in handling the individual animals. Ever care shall be taken to avoid discomfort, behavioural stress or physical harm to any animal.

(27) The condition and health of all animals in the zoo shall be checked every day by the person-in-charge of their care. If any animal is found sick, injured or unduly stressed the matter shall be reported to the veterinary officer for providing treatment expeditiously.

(28) Routine examination including parasite checks shall be carried out regularly and preventive medicines including vaccination be administered at such intervals as may be decided by the authorised veterinary officer.

(29) The zoo operators shall arrange for medical check-ups of the staff

responsible for upkeep of animals at last once in every six months to ensure that they do not have infections of such diseases that can infect the zoo animals.

(30) Each zoo shall maintain animal history sheets and treatment card in

respect of each animal of endangered Species, identified by the Central Zoo

Authority.

VETERINARYFACILITIES

(31) Every large and medium zoo shall have full-fledged veterinary facilities

including a properly equipped veterinary hospital, basic deignosic facilities and comprehensive range of drugs. Each veterinary hospital shall have isolation and quarantine wards for newly arriving animals and sick animals. These wards should be so located as to minimise the chances of infections spreading to other animals of the zoo.

(32) Each veterinary hospital shall have facilities for retraining and handling sick animals including tranquilizing equipments and syringe projectors. The hospital shall also have a reference library on animal health care and upkeep.

(33) The small and mini-zoos, where full-fledged veterinary hospital is not available, shall have at least a treatment room in the premises oi the zoo where routine examination of animals can be undertaken and immediate treatment can be provided.

(34) Every zoo shall have postmortem room. Any animal that dies in a zoo shall be subjected to a detailed postmortem and the findings recorded and maintained for a period of at least six years.

(35) Each zoo shall have a graveyard where the carcasses of dead animals can be buried without affecting the hygiene and the cleanliness of the zoo. The large and medium zoos shall have an incinerators for disposal of the carcasses and other refuse material.

BREEDING OF ANIMALS

(36) Every zoo shall formulate a Programme for captive breeding of only such animals as are approved by the Central Zoo Authority for the zoo. They shall abide by the guidelines and directives of the Central Zoo Authority in this regard.

(37) Every zoo shall keep the animal in viable, social groups. No animal will be kept without a mate for a period exceeding one year unless there is a legitimate reason for doing so or the animal has already passed its prime and is of no use for breeding purposes. In the event of a zoo failing to find a mate for any single animal within this period, the animal shall be shifted to some other place according to the direction of the Central Zoo Authority.

(38) No zoo shall be allowed to acquire a single animal of any variety except when doing so is essential either for finding a mate for the single animal housed in the said zoo or for exchange of blood in a captive breeding group.

(39) Every zoo shall take up regular exchange programmes of animals so as to prevent the traits or ill effects of in breeding. To achieve this objective each zoo shall maintain a stud book in respect of every endangered species.

(40) To safeguard against uncontrolled growth in the population of prolifically breeding animals, every zoo shall implement appropriate population control measures like separation of sexes, sterilization, vasectomy and implanting of pallets, etc.

(41) No zoo shall permit hybridization either between different species of animals or different races of the same species of animals.

MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS AND SUBMISSION OF INVENTORY TO THE CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY.

(42) Every zoo shall keep a record of the birth, acquisitions, sales, disposals

and deaths of all animals. The inventory of the animals housed in each zoo as on 31st March of every year shall be submitted to the Central Zoo Authority by 30th April of the same year.

(43) Every zoo shall also submit a brief summary of the death of animals in the zoo for every financial year, alongwith the reasons of death identified on the basis of postmortem reports and other diagnostic tests, by 30th April of the following year.

(44) Every zoo shall publish an annual report of the activities of the zoo in

respect of each financial year. The copy of the said annual report shall be made available to the Central Zoo Authority, within two months, after the end of the financial year. The report shall also be made available to the general public at a reasonable cost.

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

(45) Every enclosure in a zoo shall bear a sign board displaying the scientific

information regarding the animals exhibited in it.

(46) Every zoo shall publish leaflets, brochures and guide books and make

the same available to the visitors either free of cost or at a reasonable price.

(47) Every large and medium zoo shall make arrangements for recording, in writing, the detailed observations about the biological behaviour, population dynamics and veterinary care of the animals exhibited as per directions of the Central Zoo Authority so that a detailed data base could be developed. The data base shall be exchanged with other zoos as well as the Central Zoo Authority.

VISITOR FACILITIES

(48) The zoo operators shall provide adequate civic facilities like toilets, visitor sheds, and drinking water points at convenient places in the zoo for visitors.

(49) First-aid equipments including anti-venom shall be readily available in the premises of the zoo.

(50) Arrangements shall be made to provide access to the zoo for disabled visitors including those in the wheel chair.

DEVELOPMENTAND PLANNING

(51) Each zoo shall prepare a long-term master plan for its development. The zoo shall also prepare a management plan, giving details of the proposal and activities of development for next six years. The copies of the said plans shall be sent to the Central Zoo Authority.

APPENDLX A

Application for Getting Recognition from the Central Zoo Authority under Sec. 38-H sub-section (2)

FORM A

To,

The Member-Secretary,

Central Zoo Authority of India,

New Delhi.

We want to get recognition under Sec. 38-H of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in respect of______Bank Draft/Postal Order for Rs. 500 drawn in favour of Central Zoo Authority is also enclosed. The required information in respect_____is an under:

1. Name of the Zoo:

2. Location of the Zoo and Area:

3. Date of establishment:

4. Name of controlling authority/Operator:

5. Total number of visitors to the zoo during the last three years:

(Year-wise)

6. Total number of days on which zoo is open to visitors during a calendar year:

7. Number of animals exhibited by the zoo:

Numberofspecies exhibited

Stock position on the close of preceding year

Stock position during the current financial ar Birth

Disposals stock as on the date of a placation

MAMMALS

BIRDS

REPTILES

AMPHIBIANS

FISHES AND OTHER

INVERTEBRATES

8. Total number of enclosures:

(i) Open air moated enclosures.

(ii) Closed cages/aviaries.

9. List of endangered species bred during last 3 years:

10. Veterinary facilities:

(a) Whole-time veterination is available or not.

(b) Facilities available in the Veterinary Hospital:

(a) Operation theatre Surgical room.

(b) X-ray facility.

(d) Indoor patient ward.

(e) Quarantine ward.

(f) O Dispensary.

(g) Nursery for hand-rearing animal babies.

(h) Pathological laboratory.

(i) Tranquilising equipments/drugs.

11. Whether the following facilities exist in the Zoo:

(i) Kitchen

(ii) Food store

(iii) Deep Freeze

(iv) Potable water facility

(v) Food distribution Van/Rickshaw etc.

12. Sanitary care and disease control]:

whether-

(i) Pollution-free to animals for drinking is available ?

(ii) Proper drainage system exists in enclosures ?

(iii) Regular disposal of refuse material is done ?

(iv) Programmes for control of posts and predators exists ?

(v) Preventive measures like deworming and vaccination are being provided ?

13. Amenities to visitors:

Whether-

(a) Public facilities like toilets, bathrooms exist ?

(b) Sufficient number of drinking water taps available ?

(d) Visitor information centre and nature interpretation centre exist ?

(e) Zoo Education facilities have been provided ?

(f) Public telephone booths are available ?

(g) Kiosks and Restaurants are available at the zoo ?

14. Safety measures for visitors:

Whether-

(a) Effective stand-off barriers have been provided around enclosures ?

(b) Adequate number of warning sign boards exist ?

15. Budget of the Zoo for last 3 years

Revenue Grants Total expenditure

16. Annual Report, Guide Books, Brochure any other publication (copies enclosed)

17. Master plan of the Zoo (copy enclosed)

APPENDIX-1

Minimum Prescribed Size for Feeding-Retiring Cubicle/ Enclosures for Important Mammalian Species of Captive Animals

Name of the Species	Size of cubicle/enclosure length x breadth x height in meters
1	2
Family- Felidae:
Tiger and lions,	2.75 x 1.80 x 3.00
Panther	2.00 x 1.50 x 2.00
Clouded leopard & snow leopard	2.00 x 1.50 x 2.00
Small cats	1.80 x 1.50 x 150
Family-Elephantidae
Elephant	8.0 x 6.0 x 5.5
Family-Rhinocerotidae
One-homed Indian Rhinoceroes	5.0 x 3.0 x 2.5
FamilY-Cervidae
Borw antlered deer	3.0 x 2.0x 2.5
Hangul	3.0 x 2.0x 2.5
Swamp deer	3.0 x 2.0x 2.5
Musk deer	2.5 x 1.5 x 2.0
Mouse deer	1.5 x 1.0 x 1.5
Family-Bovidae
Nilgiri Tahr	2.5 x 1.5 x 2.0
Chinkarr	2.5 x 1.5 x 2.0
Four-homed antilope	2.5 x 1.5 x 2.0
Wild Buffalo	3.0 x 2.0 x 2.0
Indian Biason	3.0 x 2.0 x 2.5
Yak	4.0 x 2.0 x 2.5
Bharat, goral, wild sheep and Markhor	2.5 x 1.5 x 2.0
Family-Equidae
Wild Ass	4.0 x 2.0 x 2.5
Family-Ursidae
All types of Indian bears	2.0 x 1.8 x2.0
Family-Canidae
Jackal, Wolf & Wild dog	2.0 x 1.5 x1.5
Family-Viverridae
Palmcivet	2.0 x 1.0 x 1.0
Large Indian Civet & Binturong	2.0 x 1.5 x 1.0
Family-Mustellidae
Other all types	2.5 x 1.5 x 1.0
Retel/Hogibadger	2.5 x 1.5 x 1.0
Martens	2.0 x 1.5 x 1.0
Red Panda
Family-Pracyonidae	3.0 x 1.5 x 1.0
Family-Lorisidae
Slow loris and slender loris	1.0 x 1.0 x 1.5
Family- Cercopithecidae
Monkeys and languors	2.0 x 1.0 x 1.5