Imphal, 7th December, 2019 (DIPR): Forest and Environment Minister Shri Thounaojam Shyamkumar today inaugurated enclosure of Sangai (brow-antlered deer) and declared opened for public display at the Manipur Zoological Garden. The Sangai enclosure was inaugurated in the presence of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Wildlife Shri DJN Anand, Smt Gaithaolu Thaimei, Director, Manipur Zoological Garden along with other officers of the Forest Department.
Addressing the mediapersons, Minister Th. Shyamkumar said that the enclosure of Sangai was constructed under the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) following the standard design of Central Zoo Authority, Government of India. Appealing the citizens of the State to love and protect wildlife, he said that from today onwards citizens can watch the Sangai in full view at the enclosure.
Expressing hope that more people will come forward to support the wildlife conservation, he lauded the Sangai Express Group of Publication for financially supporting the Manipur Zoological Garden for procuring feed for Sangai. He said such endeavor and commitment of social responsibility will surely inspire others to support and participate in wildlife conservation.
It may be mentioned that the Sangai enclosure at the Manipur Zoological Garden has an area of 4,800 square metres with marshy vegetation, similar to the natural habitat of Sangai. The enclosure houses a large paddock area (animal display area) to meet the animal’s biological requirements including provision for night shelter, kraal and keeper gallery. The side towards the visitor’s path has a wet moat giving a bar less appearance, offering full view of the animals to the visitors.
Two pairs of Sangai were successfully translocated/ relocated from Sangai Conservation Centre, Langol to Manipur Zoological Garden for public display with the technical assistance from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Government of India along with officials and staffs of Manipur Zoological Garden. Before the translocation process was initiated, due behavioral observation of Sangai started from March 2019 to October 2019 on regular basis by the experts from WII and Manipur Zoological Garden.
The translocation of Sangai was conducted for two days from 17th and 18th October, 2019. The translocated animals at the Manipur Zoological Garden were kept under regular monitoring for three weeks. All the translocated Sangai are ear tagged for further research purposes.
On 6th November, 2019 the newly translocated adult female gave birth to a baby Sangai fawn which is another success story of Manipur Zoological Garden with particular to Sangai. The baby Sangai is now active and healthy and responding well. (DIPR)