Adoption boost: 25 wildlife enthusiasts feted at Lucknow zoo

LUCKNOW: Three-an-a-halfmonth-old Anwita Sharma was the youngest philanthropist who joined Lucknow Zoo’s adopter list after her family adopted a Chinkara for 1 year and 6 months in her name. The family contributed Rs 10,000 for 6 months which they will renew later.
Sharma, along with 24 other wildlife enthusiasts was felicitated by zoo on Tuesday in its adoption programme, an initiative led by its newly appointed brand ambassador of the zoo and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Chiranjeev Nath Sinha.
With Sinha’s and other adopters efforts, 25 animals were adopted by people raising a total sum of Rs 2.73 lakh with a week.
People adopted Hog Deer and Lion Tail Monkey in the memory of their loved ones, while Great Hornbill, Black Bug, Crocodile Mats, Red Jungle Fowl, among others, were also adopted.
“Apart from supporting the inmates, the programme is to make young kids and other citizens aware about the importance of wildlife for our ecosystem and how they can contribute in many ways to help the ecosystem survive ,” said Sinha, who is also a PETA award recipient.
“In its 100-year history, this is the first time the zoo has a brand ambassador. The ADCP has shown interest in the upkeep of animals and through him we believe more and more citizens will be encouraged to adopt animals,” said zoo director RK Singh.