Pune, Maharashtra – The Pune division of the forest department has taken legal action against Rajkumar Jadhav, the director of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj, over allegations of mismanaging wild animals categorized as scheduled species. The case was filed following an investigation by a committee that revealed numerous shortcomings in the management of wild animals at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Katraj.
The investigation exposed that the authorities had initiated an antelope breeding program without obtaining the necessary approvals from relevant authorities. Furthermore, crucial offline records of several animals were found to be missing during the inquiry. Officials have also stated that approximately 82 animals held in unauthorized captivity have been identified, including those falling under the “most protected animals” category.
In response to these findings, the department is planning to seize the animals held in illegal captivity and take action against the zoo authorities. The forest department has registered a case against the zoo director under sections 2 (16-G), 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint received by the forest department in April of this year, highlighting irregularities in the Zoo. Wildlife activist Aditya Paranjape alleged in his complaint that many wild animals in the Zoo were being unlawfully kept in captivity, and several had been released into different habitats by the authorities.
