The Recognition Of Zoo Rules, 1992

1077

In exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (f) and (g) of sub-section (1) of section 63 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:—

Short title and commencement .—(1) 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.

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;

[(d) “Endangered species” means species included in Schedule I and Schedule II of the Act except black buck];

[(dd) “critically endangered species” means an endangered species other than tiger, asiatic lion and panther whose total number in all the zoos in the country put together does not exceed 200];

(e) “Form” means 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;

[(ff) “Rescue Centre” means an establishment for the care of animals specified in the Schedules to the Act and not open for exhibition to the public;]

(g) “Stand-of barrier” means a physical barrier set back 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.

Application for recognition .—An application under section 38-H of the Act for recognition of a zoo shall be made to the Central Zoo Authority in Form A.
Fee for application .—(a) There shall be paid in respect of every application under rule 3 a fee of five hundred rupees.
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.
Power to make inquiries and call for information .—Before granting recognition to a zoo under section 38-H of the Act, the Central Zoo Authority may make such inquiries 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.
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.

Renewal of recognition .—(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 to grant of recognition except that, the fee payable in respect of an application for renewal of recognition shall be fwo hundred rupees.

[9. For the purposes of deciding standards and norms for recognition of zoos and monitoring and evaluating their performance, the zoos, on the basis of number of animals, species, endangered species and number of animals of endangered species exhibited, shall be classified into four categories as specified below:—

Category of the zoo	Large	Medium	Small	Mini
Number of animal exhibited	More than 750	500-750	200-499	Less than 200
Number of species exhibited	More than 75	50-75	20-49	Less than 20
Number of endangered species exhibited	More than 15	10-15	5-9	-
Number of animals of endangered species exhibited	More than 150	100-149	50-99	-]

] [9-A. Central Zoo Authority may allow a mini zoo to keep animals of endangered species subject to the condition prescribed by it with regard to health, care, facilities and upkeep of animals including deployment of supervisory level staff including veterianarian.]

Standards and norms subject to which recognition under section 38-H of the Act shall be granted .—The Central Zoo 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 to operate the zoo shall be conservation of wildlife and no zoo shall allow any activity that is not consistent with the well being of the wild animals.]

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

[(3-A) No zoo shall allow any animal to be subjected to the cruelties prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960);

(3-B) Animals pertaining to species whose performance has been banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960), shall not be transported from place to place:

Provided that such animals may be permanently kept by circuses at a place of their choice with suitable housing facility.]

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

(5) No zoo shall keep any animal chained or tethered 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 at least two metres high 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 beds, 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., animal 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 metres from the ground level.

[(11-A) Every zoo shall prepare a collection plan of animals to be housed and displayed in the zoo, keeping due regard to the availability of land, water, electricity and climatic condition of the area.

(11-B) Rescue centres may accept wild animals brought to them under intimation to the Chief Wild Life Warden.]

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 to purchase feed and medicine and carry out emergency repair of animal enclosures, as may be necessary for proper upkeep and care of zoo animals.

(13) Every large, medium and small zoo shall an official with masters degree in Wildlife Science/Zoology as a full-time curator solely responsible for looking after the upkeep of animals and maintenance of animal enclosures.]

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

[(14-A) Every zoo shall have veterinarians of following description and educational qualifications, namely:—

Category	Senior Veterinarian	Junior Veterinarian
Large Zoo	1	1
Medium Zoo	1	0
Small Zoo	1	0

Senior Veterinarian : Should have minimum educational qualification of B.V.Sc and AH or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years experience of working in a zoo recognised by the Central Zoo Authority, and should be duly registered with the State Veterinary Council or Veterinary Council of India. Junior Veterinarian : Should have minimum educational qualification of B.V.Sc and AH with diploma in Zoo and Wildlife Animals Healthcare Management or masters degree in Wildlife Disease and management from a recognised University, and should be duly registered with the State Veterinary Council or Veterinary Council of India.]

(15) All animal enclosures in a zoo shall be so designed as to fully ensure the safety of animals, caretakers and the visitors.

[(16) All animal enclosures in a zoo shall be so designed as to meet the biological requirements of the animals housed therein. The enclosures shall be of 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. In case of species, which cannot be kept in groups due to behavioural or biological reasons, separate enclosures shall be provided for each animal. The enclosures shall not be smaller than the dimensions given in Appendix II of these rules. These dimensions will not apply to circuses. However, when not in transit the circuses shall provide the animals space for movement and exercise.]

[(16-A) Zoo operators shall provide appropriate screening between the adjacent enclosures to safeguard against the animals getting exited or stressed because of the visibility of animals in other enclosures.]

[(17) The zoo operators shall endeavour to simulate the conditions of the natural habitat of the animal in the enclosures as closely as possible. Planting of appropriate species of trees for providing shade and shelters, which merge in the overall environment of the enclosures, shall also be provided. Depending upon the availability of land and technical feasibility, moat shall be provided as enclosure barrier.]

[18. Every mammal in the zoo shall be provided food inside a feeding cell/retiring cubicle or feeding kraal. The number and size of feeding cells or kraals will also be such that the dominant animals do not deprive other animals from getting adequate food. The endangered mammalian species shall be provided individual feeding cell or night shelters of the dimensions as specified in Appendix I to these rules. Each cubicle or cell shall have resting, feeding, drinking water and exercising facilities according to the biological needs of the species. Proper ventilation and lighting for the comfort and well being of animals shall be provided in each cell or cubicle or enclosure. These dimensions shall not apply to circuses in transit.]

(19) Proper arrangement 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 finalised [with the approval of] 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 animals, so that no animal remains undernourished.

(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 items, 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 authorised 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. Every 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 everyday 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 perasite checks shall be carried out regularly and preventive medicines including vaccination be administered at such intervals as may be decided by the authorised veterinary officers.

(30) Each zoo shall maintain animal history sheets and treatment cards in respect of each animal of endangered species.

Veterinary Facilities

[(31) Every large and medium zoo shall have a full-fledged veterinary unit with basic diagnostic facilities, comprehensive range of drugs and a reference library on animal health care and upkeep. Each veterinary unit shall have isolation and quarantine wards to take care of newly arriving animals and sick animals so to minimize the chances of infections spreading to other animals of the zoo.]

[(31-A) Every zoo operator shall provide one qualified lab assistant/compounder for assisting the veterinarian in health care of the zoo animals].

[(32) Every zoo shall have facilities for restraining and handling wild animals.

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

(34) Any animal dies in a zoo shall be subjected to a detailed post-mortem operation by a Veterinarian registered with State Veterinary Council or Veterinary Council of India and the findings of such operation shall be recorded and maintained for period of at least six years.]

(35) Each zoo shall have proper facility for disposal of carcasses without affecting the hydience of the zoo. However, carcasses of large cats shall be disposed of only by burning in presence of director or an officer not below the rank of a curator duly authorised by the director.

Breeding Of Animals

(36) Every zoo shall keep in its collection only such number of animals and such species for which appropriate housing facility exists. The zoo operators shall be responsible for ensuring that the number of animals of any species does not go beyond the holding capacity of the enclosures available in the zoo and housing standards are not compromised for keeping the excessive numbers.

[(37) No animal shall be kept without a mate for a period exceeding one year unless there is a valid 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 directions 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 participate in planned breeding programme of endangered species as approved by the Central Zoo Authority in consultation with the Chief Wild Life Warden of the State. For this purpose, the zoo operator shall exchange animals between zoos, by way of breeding loans, gifts and the like as per the directions of the Central Zoo Authority.]

(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, tubectomy 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, along with the reasons of death identified on the basis of post-mortem reports and other diagnostic tests, by 30th April of the following year. In case of death of critically endangered species, a report alongwith details specified above shall be submitted to Central Zoo Authority within twenty-four hours.

(44) Every zoo shall submit an annual report of the activities of the zoo in respect of each financial year to the Central Zoo Authority. With respect to mini zoos, a consolidated report may be submitted by the Chief Wild Life Warden of the respective State/U.T.]

Education And Research

(45) Every enclosure in a zoo shall bear a sign board displaying scientific information regarding the animals exhibited in it.

(46) Every zoo shall publish leaflets, brochures and guidebooks 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 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 database could be developed. The database 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 the disabled visitors including those in the wheel chair.

Development And 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 fro next six years. The copies of the said plans shall be sent to the Central Zoo Authority.

[10-A. Applicability of rule 10 in case of circuses and rescue centres .—(1) In case of grant of recognition to circuses under rule 10, the provisions of clauses (8), (9), (10), (11), (17), (46), (47) and (51) thereof shall not apply.

(2) In case of grant of recognition of rescue centres under rule 10, the provisions of clauses (10), (38), (46) and (51) thereof shall not apply.]

APPENDIX A

APPLICATION FOR GETTING RECOGNITION FROM THE CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY UNDER SECTION 38H (sub-section 2)

FORM - A

The Member-Secretary,

Central Zoo Authority of India,

NEW DELHI.

We want to get recognition under section 38H 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 of______________________is as under:

Name of the Zoo:
Location of the Zoo and Area:
Date of establishment:
Name of controling authority/operator:
Total number of visitors to the Zoo during the last three years (Year wise)
Total number of days on which zoo is open to visitors during a calender year.
Number of animals exhibited by the zoo:

Number of species exhibited	Stock position on the close of preceding year	Births	Acquisitions	Deaths	Disposals	Stock as on the date of application
Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fishes and Others
Invertebrates

Total number of enclosures:

(i) Open air moated encloures:

(ii) Closed cages/aviaries:

List of endangered species bred during last 3 years
Veterinary facilities

(a) Whole time veterinarian available or not:

(b) Facilities available in the Veterinary Hospital:

(a) Operation theatre /Surgical room

(b) X-ray facility

(d) In-door patient ward

(e) Quarantine ward

(f) Dispensary

(g) Nursery for hand-rearing animal babies

(h) Pathological laboratory

(i) Tranquilising equipments./drugs

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.
Sanitary care and disease control:

Whether –

i) Pollution free water to nimals for drinkng is available ?
ii) Proper drainage system exists in enclosures ?

iii) Regular disposal of refuse material is done ?

iv) Programme for control of pests and predators exists ?
v) Preventive measures like deworming and vaccination are being provided ?
Amenities to visitors:

Whether

(a) Public facilities like toilets /bathrooms exist ?

(b) Sufficient number of drinking water taps available ?

(d) Zoo eduation facilities have been provided ?

(e) Public telephone booths are available ?

(f) Kiosks and restaurants are available at the zoo ?

Safety measures for visitors:

Whether

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

(d) First-Aid measures are availabe ?

Budget of the Zoo for last 3 years

Revenue Grants Total expenditure

Annual Report, Guide books, Brochure or any other publication (copies enclosed)
Master plan of the Zoo (copy enclosed)

………………………………

Signature of the Applicant

APPENDIX - I

MINIMUM PRESCRIBED SIZE FOR FEEDING/RETIRING CUBICLE/ENCLOSURES

FOR IMPORTANT MAMMALIAN SPECIES OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS.

Name of the Species.	[Size of feeding cubicle/Nightshelter in metres]
	length	breadth	height
FAMILY - Felidae:
Tiger and lions	2.75	1.8	3
Panther	2	1.5	2
Clouded leopard & snow leopard	2	1.5	2
Small cats	1.8	1.5	1.5
FAMILY - Elephantidae
Elephant.	8	6	5.5
FAMILY - Rhinocerotidae
One-horned Indian Rhinoceros	5	3	2.5
FAMILY - Cervidae
Brow antlered deer	3	2	2.5
Hangul	3	2	2.5
Swamp deer	3	2	2.5
Musk deer	2.5	1.5	2
Mouse deer	1.5	1	1.5
FAMILY - Bovidae
Nilgiri tahr	2.5	1.5	2
Chinkara	2.5	1.5	2
Four horned antelope	2.5	1.5	2
Wild Buffalo	3	1.5	2
Indian Bison	3	2	2.5
Yak	4	2	2.5
Bharal, goral, wild sheep and markhor	2.5	1.5	2
FAMILY - Equidae
Wild Ass	4	2	2.5
FAMILY - Ursidae
All types of Indian bears.	2.5	1.8	2
FAMILY - Canidae
Jackal, wolf & wild dog	2	1.5	1.5
FAMILY - Vivirridae
Palm civet	2	1	1
Large Indian civet & binturong	2	1.5	1
FAMILY - Mustellidae
Otters all types	2.5	1.5	1
Rate]/Hogbadger	2.5	1.5	1
Martens	2	1.5	1
FAMILY - Procyonidae
Red Panda	3	1.5	1
FAMILY - Lorisidae
Slow loris and slender loris	1	1	1.5
FAMILY-Cercopithecidae
Monkeys and langurs.	2	1	1.5

[APPENDIX II]

MINIMUM PRESCRIBED SIZE FOR OUTDOOR ENCLOSURE FOR IMPORTANT

MAMMALIAN SPECIES OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS

Sl.No.	Name of the species	Minimum size of outdoor enclosure (per pair)	Minimum area extra per additional animal
FAMILY-Felidae:		Square metre
1. Tiger and lions		1000	250
2. Panther		500	60
3. Clouded leopard		400	40
4. Snow leopard		450	50
FAMILY-Rhinocerotidae
5. One-horned Indian Rhinoceros		2000	375
FAMILY-Cervidae
6. Brow antlered deer		1500	125
7. Hangul		1500	125
8. Swamp deer		1500	125
FAMILY-Bodidae
9. Wild buffalo		1500	200
10. Indian bison		1500	200
11. Bharal, Goral, Wild sheep and serow		350	75
12. Wild Ass		1500	200
FAMILY-Ursidae
13. All types of Indian bears		1000	100
FAMILY-Canidae
14. Jackal, Wolf and Wild dog		400	50
FAMILY-Procyonidae
15. Red panda		300	30
FAMILY-Cercopithecidae
16. Monkeys and langurs		500	20

Note.-1. The dimensions have been given only in respect of the species, which are commonly displayed in zoos.

No dimensions for outdoor enclosure have been prescribed for Chinkara and Chowsingha because of the problems of infighting injuries. These animals may be kept in battery type enclosure of the dimensions suggested by the Central Zoo Authority.
The designs of enclosure for Schedule I species, not covered by this Appendix, should be finalised only after approval of the Central Zoo Authority.