Forest Department Closes Private Aviary and Petting Zoo on East Coast Road

The Forest Department has taken action to close a private aviary and petting zoo on East Coast Road in response to a complaint from a residents’ welfare association in the area. The establishments, known as Faunus Park in Panaiyur and Junglii Petting Zoo in Injambakkam, have been directed not to allow visitors and are prohibited from collecting entry fees.

While they can care for the animals covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) that they possess, they are not permitted to publicly display these animals. The Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022, has introduced a new Schedule IV that includes species from CITES appendices I, II, and III, regulating their trade. The move comes as a measure to ensure the conservation and protection of endangered species.