Safety Concerns & Staff Shortage Threaten Maharajbagh Zoo Closure Nagpur’s Maharajbagh Zoo, a major tourist attraction and the city’s only zoo, faces the risk of closure due to severe safety concerns, chronic staff shortages, and deteriorating animal enclosures. The situation has escalated after the zoo’s in-charge officer, Sunil Bawaskar, sent a formal letter to Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), which operates the facility through its College of Agriculture in Nagpur. The letter, dated March 10, highlighted the urgent need for action, warning that neglect and crumbling infrastructure have created significant risks for both visitors and staff. The zoo, which generates over ₹2 crore annually, has been struggling with operational challenges despite its revenue. Insiders claim a large portion of its income is redirected to maintain other gardens managed by the university, leaving the zoo with insufficient funds for upkeep. Bawaskar’s letter outlined several critical issues, including the urgent repair of a damaged tiger enclosure, which poses risks of injury to animals or potential escape. The proposal gained urgency after a tiger reportedly died from a snake bite, raising fears that venomous reptiles could enter enclosures or endanger visitors through gaps in cage barriers. Another major concern is the lack of protective mesh around animal cages, which could allow dangerous animals to breach their enclosures. The letter also emphasized the severe shortage of permanent staff, with contractual worker appointments pending. This has made routine tasks like cleaning, monitoring, and maintenance difficult, increasing safety risks for both wildlife and visitors.#maharajbagh_zoo #sunil_bawaskar #dr_panjabrao_deshmukh_krishi_vidyapeeth #prakash_kadu #central_zoo_authority
