PETA says 67 animals die in Alipore zoo since August last

Kolkata, Jun 18 (PTI) Global animal rights organisation PETA (People for ethical treatment of animals) today claimed that 67 animals, including tigers, lions, chimpanzees, kangaroos, birds and snakes, died in Alipore zoo here in the last eight months and urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to close the zoo. Since August 2011, these animals died in the zoo mainly from diseases and lack of veterinary care, PETA said here. Stating that the situation in Alipore zoo was particularly critical, PETA said, it had written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for declaring closure of the zoo. 

"Although PETA India calls for a boycott of all zoos that steal animals' feed and force them to live in oppressive and cruel conditions, the situation in Alipore zoo is particularly critical", it said. PETA said it had already suggested to the state government to shift its focus from collections of animals in captivity to habitat preservation and not to expect any result by forming the State Zoo Authority. According to PETA India campaign coordinator B Gupta, "instead of sinking more money into cruel and decrepit zoos, funds must be used to protect the last vestiges of wilderness where these animals can live". PETA members will protest outside Alipore zoo on Friday to mobilise public opinion, they said. PTI PB PR 

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