They risk their lives for just Rs 200

Banur, Punjab: For just Rs 200 as risk allowance per month, the zookeepers at Mahendra Choudhary Zoological Park, famous as Chattbir zoo, have been risking their lives everyday while feeding animals and cleaning their cages. “Handling wild animals is not an easy job. While minor injuries are part of the day, many of us have even suffered major accidents as well”, said a zookeeper.

There are around 150 zookeepers assigned with tasks of looking after animals or birds on regular basis in different shifts.

The Government gives these keepers Rs 200 per month as risk allowance, which does not even cover medical expenses of minor injuries.

Besides physical danger, employees also suffer from different infections that the wild animals pass on to them. Incidences of germ infestation and bacterial infections are common amongst zookeepers.

Sharing their experiences, zookeepers said one of them lost three front teeth when an elephant swayed his tail too swiftly and hit the zookeeper’s teeth. In yet another incidence, a zookeeper lost his life while cleaning the tiger’s enclosure.

“Handling a pregnant animal or that which has laid eggs is very difficult. It is necessary that these animals’ enclosures be cleaned daily. Presently, crocodile is busy hatching her eggs and does not budge to allow us to clean her enclosure. Such irritated animals tend to attack and inflict injuries,” added another zookeeper.

Field Director, Tushar Kanti Bahera said medical reimbursement was also been given to the injured zookeepers but it depended upon the nature of injuries inflicted.

There are carnivorous animals in the zoo, including 11 tigers, 9 leopards, herbivorous animals like niel gai, sambhar and hundreds of birds and other wild animals.

“Our basic salary starts from Rs 5,200 and with stipends it reaches up to Rs 10,000 a month” said the zookeepers.

Zoo officials said though keepers are perfect in their work but at times they fail to judge mood of animal and receive injuries.

The Central Zoo Authority, Government of India, has been conducting trainings for keepers. However, there is always a risk of life while working with these animals.

Three of the zookeepers were sent for animal-handling training in Lucknow last year and four others would undergo training to handle poisonous snakes this year.

With thanks : source : Sikh Sangat

SikhsIndia