White tiger at Nandan kanan zoo.

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Bhubaneswar : The Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) authorities on Monday launched Adopt-an Animal scheme.

Adopt-an-animal, which is dubbed as a radical scheme for the animal conservation in the State, would enable the NZP authorities to put an extra effort for the care, feeding an animal or bird and up-gradation of the enclosures.

"All the captive animals and birds at the Nandankanan Zoo have been made available for adoption as the scheme kicked off. The Adopt-An-Animal programme would be an annual support programme and all adoptions have been fixed for a period of one year or will multiple thereof.

The director of the Zoo Mr. Ajit Pattnaik said, the animals adopted will remain at the Nandankanan Zoological Park and will be receiving proper care and housing.

Against the adoption cost starting from Rs. 500 up to Rs. 10 lakh per annum, the park would give a customised adoption certificate, one free entry ticket, display of adopter's name at special board and special mention in the annual report of the Zoo, he added.

Zoo authorities have made available two most attractive sites for adoption. Adoption costs of Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh have been fixed for Lion Safari and Tiger Safari respectively.

However, if anybody wants to adopt only one lion, it would cost him Rs. 1 lakh per annum. Similarly, Rs. 1 lakh would be charged for every one tiger adoption. There are 25 each lions and tigers present inside the zoo area, he further added.

"The objective is not only to raise funds, but also to ensure participation of the individuals, corporate bodies and others in the management of the zoo. It would bring them closer to the zoo and heighten their love and passion for the captive animals and birds," Pattnaik said.