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The National Zoological Park has constituted a committee headed by its joint director to ascertain the facts surrounding the alleged death of a jackal during capture attempt, zoo director Dr Sanjeet Kumar said on Thursday.
Speaking to ANI, Kumar said the zoo had received a complaint from a union alleging that a jackal was burnt alive. "We have taken cognisance of the matter, and an investigation is underway. The complaint was written to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and a copy was also sent to us. Based on that, we have taken up the matter, and we are conducting an inquiry," he said. Kumar added that, as per official records, there are currently eight jackals in the zoo and no such incident has been reported internally so far. "Delhi Zoo has constituted a committee headed by the joint director to inquire into the alleged jackal death, and the panel has been asked to submit its report within three days," said Kumar. The species is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (Amendment), 2022. In the complaint submitted to the ministry on Monday, the union sought an independent inquiry, alleging gross violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and established protocols governing zoological parks. Following the complaint, a team of MoEFCC officials visited the zoo on Tuesday. According to the complaint, workers were allegedly summoned during a capture operation and "chilli powder was poured into the burrow and fire was ignited inside it", resulting in the "unlawful killing" of the animal. (ANI)
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