Supporting wildlife conservation, a number of industrialists, individuals and even schools have come forward in adopting animals like tiger, elephant and rhino at the Kolkata Zoo.
Even before the animal adoption programme was officially launched today, the zoo authorities said they have already received contributions of Rs 30 lakh.
"Almost all animals have been adopted. For some animals like tiger and rhinoceros there is a queue as more people are willing to adopt them," said V K Yadav, acting director of Alipore Zoological Gardens.
Sanjay Budhia, Managing Director of Patton Group of Companies, has adopted a one-horned rhino, Ambuja Group chairman Harsh Neotia and R S Agarwal of Emami Group are adopting tigers while Lions Club of Calcutta 322B1 is going for a pair of lions.
Similarly, corporates like BNP Paribas, Anjan Infrastructure Development Ltd, etc are also adopting some animals.
Actress and animal rights activist Debashree Roy is adopting an elephant while BCCI's interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya's daughter Vaishali went for the lone jaguar in the zoo.
Sandeep Sinha Roy, a professional in a private company, is gifting a leopard to her daughter on her next birthday. Interestingly, schools have also shown interest in adopting wildlife.
"The whole idea is to involve participation of the people in managing and conserving wildlife. When you adopt an animal, naturally you also develop the love for it," Forest minister Hiten Barman said.
