Premature to attribute animal deaths to administrative negligence: Delhi zoo director

The Delhi zoo is assessing the causes that led to 245 animal deaths between April 2018 and June this year and it is premature to attribute the high mortality rate to any lapse on the part of officials, its director Renu Singh said.

Following a Delhi High Court order, the zoo had conducted a census of animals in June and submitted an inventory report that showed the mortality rate was more than exorbitant".

Asked if the increase in the mortality rate was due to negligence, Singh said, "It is premature to attribute it to any lapses on the part of officials. We have ordered an assessment of the animal deaths and the report will be shared with our health advisory committee."
On the issue of handing over the control of the Delhi zoo to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), she said, "I have not yet received any communication from any anywhere...but if the ministry has decided to do so, it is for the good of the zoo."