Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wild life) lal Ratnakar Singh throwing his official weight behind has assured that three rescued barn owls as old as just 30 days would be sheltered in Birsa Zoo Ormanjhi. "One of the objectives of the Zoo Authority of India is that zoo must give shelter to rescued bird and animal and in this case too these three barn owls would be taken down from tiger reserve Palamu to this Birsa Zoo."
The PCCF was giving his reaction when The Pioneer pointed out to him that Birsa Zoo authority showed extreme reluctance to accept rescued bird and animal on the ground that their Zoo is already filled. PCCF reiterated, "Such reluctance would carry no weight as Birsa Zoo is to accept rescued animal and bird. Owls are a kind of hunting birds and need special care at this stage when all three are motherless. These owls are to learn flying, eating and living on their own terms. All this can be thought of for them in this Zoo itself."
He said he would not take even a minute to order transferring the owls from Daltonganj to the Zoo. Sources said the functioning and upkeep of Birsa Zoo leaves much to be desired. The owls were rescued from the premise of Daltonganj temple here said deputy director north PTR AK Mishra who said those were dumped there. The owls are newly born and could have become easy prey for any animal or illegal traders.
AK Mishra said the crowd of spectators and onlookers could have posed danger to these birds but before this could happen PTR personnel and others reached on the spot and rescued them.