A new veterinary hospital building and slow loris enclosure was inaugurated at Manipur Zoological Garden of Iroishemba near Imphal on Wednesday.
Forest and Environment Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar accompanied by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Task Force (PCCF & HoFF) Kereilhouvi Angami, Director Gaithaolu Thaimei of Manipur Zoological Garden and Additional PCCF and State Mission Director (National Bamboo Mission) Dr DD Haokip attended the inauguration function.
The veterinary hospital has an operation theatre, X-ray room, examination room, lab, sterile room, doctor’s room, staff room, inpatient ward for herbivores and carnivores quarantine rooms.
The veterinary team includes veterinary surgeon and animal attendants to take care of the medical needs of the animals. Depending upon the severity of the illness/disease, there is provision to either isolate or shift the animal to in-patient ward or keep the animal for further care, monitoring and treatment. The quarantine unit will accommodate newly acquired animals and sick animals suspected for contagious diseases.
On the other hand the slow loris enclosure has three paddock area (animal display area) with an area of 150 sq m each to meet the animal’s biological requirements, movements, night shelter, kraal and keeper’s gallery.
Slow loris being a nocturnal and secretive animal, each paddock has tree, dead branches as enrichment component to escape from direct interaction with visitors and to escape and save itself from aggression of other animals.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of the day’s function, Minister Shyamkumar appealed to the people of the State to protect and preserve the wildlife of the State and stated that human beings cannot live without the biodiversity.
Minister was hopeful that the Veterinary Hospital will be able to timely check the health condition of the animals in the Zoo.
The chief conservator of forests Th Mohendra Pratap Singh, Seraphui Vashum, Kh Shyam, divisional forest officers (Central Forest Division) R K Amarjit, John Sha (Senapati), E Home Singh (Tengnoupal), Robert Sheilam (Soil and Water Conservation Division-II), SW Suisa (Soil and Water Conservation Division-I), Th Lokendra Singh (Social Forestry Division)and others also present in the day’s function.